I have been a yoga instructor for almost two years. During that time, I have had the opportunity to meet all different kinds of people. Through meeting new students, as well as being a student myself, I have found that there tends to be a warped perception of yoga instructors. Here are the top five misconceptions I have experienced during my journey as a teacher:

1. I know nothing about astrology.

As a yoga instructor, I have been asked by numerous people about zodiac signs. I'm not sure exactly where the connection comes from, but many of my fellow yoga instructors have apparently experienced the same questions. What's my sign mean? What is your sign all about? Which sign should I be romantically involved with? I hate to disappoint my fellow yogis, but I have absolutely no idea. The practice of yoga originated in India. The zodiac is Greek...I think. Obviously the internet can tell you more about whether you should fall in love with the Virgo or not. If you ask me, I'll just tell you to find a Scorpio (we're more fun).

2. I cannot contort myself into a pretzel.

Sure, the majority of instructors are flexible. But flexibility varies throughout different parts of our bodies and changes every day. We may not be as flexible in the morning as we are at night. One yogi may have incredibly flexible hips, but tight shoulders. Someone else may have flexible hamstrings, but barely be able to back bend. Unfortunately, social media posts can convey yoga as something intangible to the average person. You see an instructor (or student) with their foot by their head and suddenly intimidation sets in. Yoga is for every body. I have been working on my flexibility for years; I dislike back bending, my hamstrings change every day and my deep stretch practice is usually done with a clenched jaw. My asana practice (the physical aspect of yoga) is no better or worse than yours. We are practicing yoga-- not auditioning for the circus.

3. Meditation gives me anxiety.

This is a pretty huge confession because mediation is a major aspect of yoga. Although I feel as though my meditation is worked into my physical practice, I do not know much about seated meditation. I am often looked at by my students with guilty faces as they confess to me that they strongly dislike meditating (let's not use the word hate). Little do you all know, I don't like it either. Five minutes-- sure, that was relaxing. Fifteen minutes-- uhhh, okay I guess. Thirty minutes-- HAH! Yeah, right. It is okay to not love sitting in stillness. It is okay to not completely understand meditation. It is even okay for it to drive you a little (or a lot) crazy. This is all part of the practice.

4. I'm not a vegan.

I love eggs. I love yogurt. I love cake. I love chicken. I love all seafood. I need bacon. It's just that simple.

5. I am an imperfect human.

When I first began practicing yoga, I thought that my teachers were perfect people. I believed that they lived without making mistakes. The first time I ever heard one of my instructors curse I was actually floored. How could she curse? Cursing is bad and yoga instructors can do no wrong, right?Wrong. As I got to know my teachers better, I realized that they are all imperfect humans just like me. When I became a teacher, I realized students began to idolize me as I had done to my instructors. We are not celebrities. We also do not know everything about this world or life or how you should live it. I am a yoga instructor and I curse. (Don't tell my mom.)

These are all just silly points that do not entirely make a difference. None of these misconceptions offend me whatsoever, but I do believe there speaks to a larger issue. We must get to know the people around us better. Labels such as "yoga instructor" tend to come with a persona of the person who identifies with said label. Usually this idealized person is not real at all. It is much more rewarding to understand our fellow humans rather than be intimidated by the idea of something that most likely is not reality.