7 Things Wikipedia Can’t Tell You About Yoga

According to Wikipedia, yoga is “a physical, mental, and spiritual practice or discipline that denotes a variety of schools, practices, and goals.” But anyone who’s fallen in love with the practice knows there’s so much more to yoga than Wikipedia could ever define.

Everyone’s favorite encyclopedia may be able to walk you through the 4,000 year history of yoga, but there are some things about yoga you can only learn by practicing it yourself.

1. Starting a yoga practice is easier than you think.

Whether it’s Youtube yoga or a beginner’s class at your local gym, it’s easy to find a practice that works for you—even if you’ve never touched your toes in your life. Start slow, honor your body, and you’ll be a bonafide yogi before you even know it.

2. No matter your fitness level, you WILL be sore at first.

Yoga uses different muscles than you’re used to, even if you’re already Queen of the Gym. But hey, it’s a good burn, right?

3. But after a while, your practice won’t stay confined to the mat.

Yoga is all about the mind-body-spirit connection. Once you start paying attention to this connection, you’ll be inspired to make other lifestyle changes, too. Case in point: last year, my drink of choice was a margarita. This year, I actually prefer a healthy green smoothie!

4. Yoga is highly contagious.

Once your friends notice your blissed-out attitude (and your newly-sculpted glutes) they’re going to want in. Don’t be surprised if all your friends start getting interested in yoga, too.

5. Every yogi has that one pose they totally rock at!

6. …and the one they just can’t seem to get right.

Don’t worry. You’ll get there eventually.

7. Yoga really will transform your life—and you’ll never be able to go back!

You’ll be happier, healthier, and more resilient in the face of life’s stresses, so why would you want to go back? Spoiler alert: you won’t! Once you’re hooked, that’s it—you may just be a yogi for life. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

 

What have you learned about yoga that you’ll never find on Wikipedia? Share your knowledge with the rest of us in the DOYOU community!