Why Yoga Doesn't Work?

Are you happy with the results of your yoga practice? If you don’t see the expected effect, perhaps it’s time to reconsider your motivation for doing yoga.

Wherever you work or whoever you go out with, you’ll hear people talking about doing yoga. It can be anything from “Oh, the weather is great, perfect day for my yoga class” to “I bet my yoga instructor will notice I had an extra portion of fries”. Yoga can pop up in any conversation because people are proud to practice it. But it looks like many of us do yoga because we are driven by something entirely unrelated to the main purpose of this discipline.

So what makes us hit the mat?

1. Fitness Anything from weight-loss to stretching falls into this category. Yoga is known for its spectacular body toning effects and attracts those who are simply pursuing a proper workout.
2. Trend Yoga is everywhere and it’s cool no matter which angle you choose to look at it. Even if you can’t do headstands, belonging to a group of those who can makes you feel better about yourself.
3. Medical reasons or doctor’s advice Anything as annoying as back pains or constipation brings newbies to the numerous yoga studios. If done right and carefully, yoga can really solve heaps of problems.
4. Stress With the steam coming out of their ears, millions of humans are taking to the mat, and through yoga finding peace they didn’t know they had.
5. Friendship Why not to keep someone company? If your friend does yoga, one day you’re likely to end up stretching side by side.

All 5 can be solid reasons for starting yoga, but yoga is more than a workout or a combination of tricky poses. You may feel instant changes in your body, but you won’t feel the ultimate change unless you start living yoga. If you only expect it to fix your specific problem, you get shallow results. And here comes the disappointment: yoga doesn’t work!

How do you fix it?

Don’t get sold on the idea that yoga simply works wonders. It’s a physical and mental practice of spirituality, which involves your own work on your mind, body and spirit as one. Take it slow and discover your own capabilities. Or perhaps, leave it for good. Whatever you decide, it’s your choice and being true to yourself is one of the pillars of happy and healthy living.