Yoga is religious meditation. Some gravitate toward yoga thinking it's going to be their newfound religion, while others steer completely away from it because of its perceived religious affiliation. It is true that yoga is linked to Hinduism and Buddhism, and indeed yoga is an integral part of those religions. 

Yoga in and of itself, however, is not a religion. Meditation through yoga should be looked at as a time to quiet the mind and connect with your breathing. To some, meditation can seem like a daunting task, while others find serenity with ease through their meditation practice. This all takes time -- time to feel comfortable with the silence of your body and mind before or after such a fast paced day. 

You have to be really flexible to begin yoga. 
You might think that you need to be able to bend yourself into a pretzel in order to do yoga, but this is not true. 

Why teach flexibility only to people who are already flexible? In fact, having poor flexibility is an excellent reason to take up yoga. As you begin to learn the basics of yoga, your body becomes more flexible. There are many levels, so there is always the right amount of challenge for everyone. 

You don't get a workout with yoga. 
Most people don't think of a cardiovascular workout when they think of yoga. Although you are not doing fast movements, the challenge in yoga is sufficient enough to increase your heart rate. 

In a class, you perform poses that require concentration and the ability to maintain the pose, which give your muscles a good workout -- imagine holding a sit-up halfway up for a minute. It also helps your heart and lungs. Learning to inhale and exhale properly allows you to get the most out of each pose. 

Yoga is for vegetarians. 
Not necessarily. There are benefits to vegetarianism and a life devoted to ahimsa, or non-violence, but everybody begins their journey just where they are today. Want a strong and flexible body? Go to a yoga class. You'll still walk away with more benefit than you expected. 

Yoga is just for women. 
This is a misconception that is of recent origin. Originally, it was only studied by young men at ashrams. Because of the renaissance of yoga today, it seems to appeal more to women. But is becoming more popular with men. 

Many men come to practice yoga to add balance and challenge to their regular exercise regimen and also to bring peace into their lives. 

Yoga is boring. Baloney. 
Yoga is fun and challenging. More and more people are starting to enjoy this ancient form of exercise. If you like competition sports, consider this: you're competing against your own limitations to reach your full potential. 

What are the risks? 
Even though yoga is a class in which individuals aim to move smoothly from one pose into the next, injuries can occur. Yoga risks include: cartilage tears; muscles and ligament sprains; neck and back pain. 

With the right precautions, you can minimize your risk of injury. Few simple tips: 1. Go at your own pace. Don't try to be a show-off. It'll backfire. 2. Listen to your body. Recognize the difference between pain and discomfort. If you feel pain, do not force yourself to hold the pose. 3. Be careful bending your back if you already have back problems. 4. Do not eat a meal for two to three hours before doing yoga. 5. If you have any injuries or medical conditions, tell your instructor before you start the class.

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