4 Misconceptions About Starting A Yoga Practice
I started doing yoga in 2014 because my then husband told me I had to be more active.
Having been injured in the Army, I wasn't going to do anything high intensity – I hate running and I'm not a fan of burpees (they are the devil, I'm certain). I worked a high stress corporate job so I had back issues from sitting all day and stress levels from all the bullshit that corporate jobs bring. Yoga offered me a few things I needed – to open up physically, mentally, and emotionally.
So, I started. And I haven't stopped.
Yoga taught me that there's no such thing as "can't." It taught me how to be patient with myself. It taught me how to get back to me. Yoga taught me to breathe again. Yes, I breathe everyday, we all do. But there is a difference in breathing the shallow breaths we breathe everyday due to stress and anxiety and taking a moment to really breathe. Take a second right now – breathe in through your nose with your mouth closed and fill your entire body and then exhale through your nose, mouth closed. Do that a couple of times. That in itself is pranayama. It's yoga. Teaching you how to breathe and open your soul up, as well as your body.
Once you get started, keeping it going is easier than you might think. Through the months and years I've been doing it, so many of my friends have come to me, "Girl I need to get like you. I've been wanting to try yoga but (insert reason they can't do it here)." Yoga has been transformative to my life and spirit and I wholeheartedly believe it's something that anyone could embrace, despite the misperceptions surrounding it. Below, I debunk some of the most common misconceptions out there about yoga practice.
I can't afford going to the yoga studio.
I started at home and after four years, STILL have a home practice. I started out with 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening, and now try to do at least 45 minutes to one hour. I found yoga teachers/channels that I like and discover new ones everyday. Some of my favorites are: Cole Chance yoga, Flow with Adee, Yoga with Adriene, Leslie Fightmaster, and Yoga by Candace. If you can't find a specific yoga teacher, you can always type in "beginner yoga" or "gentle yoga," and find classes/teachers that are more your pace. All for free.
I don't have time/anyone to watch my kids.
With a home practice, you can make the time and don't need childcare. You may have to get up a little earlier in the morning or go to bed a little later; however, as with anything else, if you are committed to doing something, you will make the time. There are online yoga practices as short as five minutes long. Even if you feel you don't have time, you can always take five minutes for yourself.
I have (insert injury/illness here).
You're always going to want to consult your doctor before starting any exercise regimen; however, there aren't that many ailments that you can't do with yoga or that yoga won't alleviate. Many physical, mental, and emotional issues that you have are caused by busy lifestyles, including sitting at a desk 8-12 hours per day (back issues, stress, depression), or being on your feet all day (arthritis, foot pain, stress). You can find yoga practices that cater specifically to your needs: "Yoga for office workers" for example, or your specific ailment. There are plenty tutorials and practices out there for stress and depression, arthritis, digestive issues, heart issues, etc. Yoga isn't just for fat burning or belly/ab work, although it can do that. No matter your situation, yoga is flexible enough (see what I did there?) to meet your needs.
Girl, I am NOT a pretzel/I can't do that.
Girl, yes you can. You are always encouraged to go at YOUR pace. It doesn't matter what the teacher is doing. You can't touch your toes? Don't worry about that – go as far as YOU can but just keep going. If you are consistent, you will see over time that you are able to do a little more than before. One day, you might be a pretzel and didn't even realize you got there. Or maybe you'll never be one but you will still be able to reap the rewards of having a more open body and mind. The little victories – being able to touch your toes, alleviating your back pain before/after work, sleeping better, feeling good about yourself for accomplishing your goals – are just as important as the big ones (i.e. getting a promotion, winning the lottery, finding that perfect man). Either way, you're winning.
With all of this being said, let me be the first to tell you I'm not perfect.
Some days, I don't want to do yoga and don't. Sometimes for days. But I always come back to my mat because that is where I find my peace and reset my pace. I have never finished a yoga practice and regretted it, and that motivates me to continue to cultivate my practice on a daily basis. Eventually, I want to become certified to teach yoga, as I do see an opportunity for more women of color to be present/in the forefront of the opportunities yoga affords. However, I am comforted in the fact that yoga sees no race, gender, religion, creed, etc.
It isn't about who is next to, or in front of me – it's about me. It's about that moment where I take my deepest breath of the day and remember who I am – strong, confident, beautiful, love. In that moment, I am living my best life and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
Featured image by bruce mars on Unsplash
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is a mother, writer, yogi, Scorpio and has good hair but is NOT Becky by any means. By day, she pushes paper, but by night, she unleashes her superpower: using her words.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage