A California-based research firm last month listed yoga studios as the fourth-fastest-growing industry in the United States.

Yoga (and Pilates) studios, according to IBISWorld, are proving to be recession-proof with 12.1 percent growth per year.

The study attributes the growth to a recent rise in interest in fitness. (Reports that the increasing interest is a result of this column are unconfirmed.)

Clearly yoga is as popular as ever around the South Sound, with dozens of studios offering everything from yoga in 105-degree rooms (hot yoga) to yoga on floating stand-up paddleboards (SUP yoga).

Still, Holly Menzies, who runs Tacomas Ashtanga Yoga studio, says many people still have misconceptions about yoga. These concerns very well could be keeping some people from trying an activity that can help them get fit, increase strength and flexibility and perhaps even alleviate nagging pain.

So, I asked Menzies and a few others to bust some yoga myths.

MYTH: I have to be flexible to do yoga.

I get this all the time, Menzies said. Its just not true. People see these really flexible people doing pretty advanced (poses) and they think I cant do that.

The truth is you do yoga to become more flexible.

MYTH: Yoga is easy.

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Area experts attempt to dispel myths about yoga