Can one start Yoga on his own? Myths about risks in Yoga

Many people avoid Yoga as they are not able to find an accomplished yoga teacher, so they remain away from such a useful science of remaining healthy, happy and content. Is it a must to have an accomplished teacher before someone can start practicing Yoga? is it fruitful to sit in the fence and wait for accomplished Yogi to come home and teach?

In ancient time, there were very less means of knowledge transfer, education was Gurukul based, and there were no options for common people to have a school at nearby places. There was also lack of print media, even though scriptures were used for some of ancient literature, most of it was handmade and distribution was not so easy. Due to above limitations, all the knowledge was passed on person to person, so was Yoga.

However, in today time with advancement of print, TV and internet media, Yoga knowledge should also pass on using these methods as any other form of education.

Some people advocate that one must have a teacher and then only he/she can start Yoga, Many people spread the word that doing Yoga without a teacher is fatal. The fear or extra cautiousness may have come from the fact that Yoga was passed on person to person in ancient times. But common sense says that doing some simple exercises cannot be anywhere near fatal or harming. Doing stunts or unnecessary exercises similar to a nut can be fatal, but not Yoga.

Importance of an accomplished teacher cannot be played down even in today world and person to person knowledge transfer would remain most efficient way of learning something. Advance poses would require a teacher as any other advance form of study.

Simple Asanas, simple pranayama and simple meditation cannot be harmful in any way for a common person if person doesn't use any force to accomplish a pose or breathing. People do some sort of meditation every day while doing Puja and people already do some sort of exercises without any trainer. So it is just a myth that someone have be under observation of a teacher to start Yoga. TV broadcasting Yoga programs in the morning, internet available round the clock, and with availability of good books easily; nothing should stop a person from starting Yoga on his own.

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AashiYoga Research Academy

http://www.aashiyoga.com/
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