Yoga Mythbusters:
“Slow yoga is easy.”
Ahhh, this one comes up a lot.
There’s this idea that if a yoga class is slow, gentle or relaxing, it must be the “easy” option.
And… not necessarily. 😅
Slow doesn’t always mean easy.
Sometimes slowing things down can actually make you more aware of what your body is doing.
You might notice your muscles working harder.
You might have to concentrate more on your balance.
You might suddenly realise that holding a pose for a few slow breaths is surprisingly challenging!
And that’s okay.
So, what actually makes yoga “hard”?
It’s not always about how fast you move or how complicated the pose looks.
A slower practice can still include strength, balance, mobility and plenty of challenge.
Think about holding a Warrior II.
Or moving slowly from plank to the floor.
Or standing on one leg and trying not to wobble all over the place. 😂
None of those things need to be fast to be challenging.
Sometimes moving slowly gives you more time to feel the movement, rather than rushing through it.
Slow doesn’t mean doing nothing
I love slow yoga because it gives us a chance to actually be in the movement.
Instead of thinking:
“Quick, get into the next pose.”
We can think:
“How does this feel?”
“Do I want to stay here?”
“Would a prop help?”
“Could I make this a little easier?”
“Could I make it a little stronger?”
That’s where having options becomes really useful.
There isn’t one “correct” version of a pose that everyone needs to achieve.
Your version might look completely different from someone else’s — and that’s fine.
And sometimes gentle really is what you need
There’s also nothing wrong with wanting yoga that feels gentle.
Not every practice needs to leave you sweaty, exhausted or feeling like you’ve smashed a workout.
Sometimes your body needs movement.
Sometimes it needs strength.
Sometimes it needs stretching.
Sometimes it needs to lie down for ten minutes and breathe.
All of those things count.
I don’t think yoga needs to be about proving how hard you can push yourself.
Especially if you’re tired, stressed, overwhelmed or just having one of those days where your body is saying, “Absolutely not, mate.” 😂
Yoga can meet you where you are.
There’s no prize for making yoga harder
This is something I really want people to remember.
You don’t get extra yoga points for going deeper into a pose.
You don’t get a gold star for holding Warrior for longer.
And you definitely don’t have to make yourself uncomfortable just because the person next to you is doing something different.
Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is back off.
Sometimes the most useful practice is the one where you listen to your body rather than trying to override it.
Myth busted
Slow yoga isn’t necessarily easy yoga.
It can be strong.
It can be challenging.
It can make you sweat.
It can make your legs shake.
And it can also be gentle, grounding and restful.
There’s room for all of it.
For me, yoga isn’t about making every practice as difficult as possible.
It’s about finding a way to move that feels supportive for your body, today.
And that might look completely different tomorrow.
Want to give slow yoga a go?
My classes are inclusive, beginner-friendly and full of options.
You don’t need to be flexible, fit or experienced.
You just need to turn up with the body you’ve got that day.
And we’ll take it from there. 🧡
See you on the mat,
Yas x