5 Reasons You Skip Yoga - And Why They’re Bad

You know that yoga is popular. You get it. But between bootcamp and barre, HIIT and heavy lifting, you just don’t think a little bit of stretching and flow-time on the mat is going to do you any good. 

I hate to break it to you, but I think you’re wrong. See, I’m totally guilty of skipping yoga. I’ve been practicing on and off for years, but I’ve stopped for months at a time in there. So I know your excuses. I’ve probably used them. And if not, I’ve heard someone else use them. But when I practice - and I have been recently - I’m reminded of why it’s so great. 

So let’s address those (bad) reasons for not incorporating yoga into your life and find some fixes. Ready? Let’s do it.

You can make excuses or you can do yoga. (You should do yoga.) via @EllenSlater #fituniversity #bgbcommunity Click To Tweet

You don’t do yoga because…

… you’re not flexible.

Good news: you don’t have to be flexible to do yoga! Does it make some postures easier? Abso-freaking-lutely. But do you want everything in life to be easy? (Don’t answer that.) Yoga teaches you to meet your body where it is, push it a little farther when you can, and be patient when it’s just not having it. Honestly, that’s a pretty good skill to have in all areas of life. Your body is smart and knows what it can handle, even when your mind says otherwise. Also, practice makes perfect you more flexible.

… it doesn’t burn calories like crazy.

I’m not going to argue with you. I’m sure some sorts of power yoga do burn some calories, and all yoga activates your muscles so it’s not useless in that area. However, burning zillions of calories shouldn’t be the point of yoga (or, frankly, of activity in general - but that’s another topic). Yoga makes you stronger, and that’s a pretty great goal.

… you tried it that one time and just couldn’t get into it.

Try a different style, a different studio, or a different instructor. It can make all the difference. Sometimes, I’m not in the mood for a slow class, so I skip it in favor of a faster one (or vice versa). Instructors have different teaching styles, and that can really set the tone for the whole experience. Try a variety before settling on the one or few that you really enjoy. 

… you can’t chill out.

Sometimes I’m so antsy that I just don’t want to do yoga. You want to know something? That usually happens when I haven’t practiced for a while. Being present on the mat and flowing through poses honestly doesn’t leave a lot of room for whatever else is going on in my life/my head/the world. 

… you don’t have time.

I’m so guilty of using this. But you don’t have to go to an hour-long class or do a 90-minute video. The videos here range from 6 to 60 minutes. You can squeeze one of those in, right? I’m sure I can, too.

So there you have it.

You can come up with a whole bunch of excuses, or you can just do yoga. Let’s do that one, okay?

Pin it so you don’t forget! 😉

Is there one type of workout you neglect?

What excuses do you make?