Yoga does not automatically make you a better person

"There are many myths in the yoga world," says Ellen Johannesen in this episode of Yoga for livet.

"Yoga can make you more sensitive and open, give you more empathy and a chance to contribute constructively to the world. But you can just as well go the other way and get a big ego, just because you can suddenly stand on your hands and get lots of followers on Instagram. It all depends on the intention you bring to it."

But you are a contortionist yourself?

"I was, but I am getting older, and in that sense yoga is a double-edged sword: the more you can do, the more you have to lose. As the body ages it gets weaker. Things break. So you have to watch out for pride, and watch out that your achievements do not become your whole identity. Because really, all yoga philosophy is about overcoming your false self."

Host: Birgitte Gjestvang. Sound and music: Thomas Prado Lamo Lokøen.