Why averages can be misleading: what research doesn’t tell us about individual needs

Katie Roth Author

How to avoid the pitfall of relying on flashy articles about movement science.

You see these all the time: big, flashy claims about movement. Yoga once a day will keep you flexible forever. NEVER, ever, ever let your knee past your toes. The correct way to perform a pose.

What often happens is individuals or journalists read a research paper, look at the conclusion and then draw their own, flashy conclusion. However, this often also means that what they are saying is not the full picture and might not help you much in your own classes.

If you’ve tried to incorporate science in your classes, but felt confused or frustrated when you didn’t get the results you were promised, keep on reading.

How research uses averages to understand groups

Most research findings report averages to help simplify and communicate general trends. For example, if a study looks at how long people are comfortable holding their breath during box breathing, it might find an average of four counts across all participants. This average is useful for understanding what’s common or typical, but it doesn’t account for the wide range of individual differences within the group.

In fact, for some participants, a four-count breath hold may be too long, while for others, it might feel short. By focusing on averages, researchers can spot patterns, and provide us with guidelines, but these averages don’t tell the whole story.

Why averages don’t capture the full story

Averages are helpful for answering big questions—like how long, on average, people hold their breath comfortably—but they can also create misleading expectations when applied directly to individuals. In yoga, if we only focus on average counts, poses, or flexibility, we might unintentionally push students toward a “standard” that doesn’t actually suit them.

For example, if a study finds that the average student gains flexibility by practicing forward folds by touching their toes, it doesn’t mean that this alignment will feel right for or will be beneficial for everyone. Teaching using these “one-size-fits-all” research findings can quickly lead to frustrated or even injured students who fall outside of this “standard”.

The worst part? Often there is no such thing as the average student. That person doesn’t exist, it is just the average of all students combined. Imagine having 5 really tall people and 5 super short people: the average will be someone with average height, but a person that isn’t real.

Why this matters in yoga teaching

As yoga teachers, our role is to support individual needs rather than enforce a one-size-fits-all approach. By acknowledging the limitations of averages, we can create space for each student’s unique experience.

You might have studied yoga and anatomy extensively, yet sometimes what you’ve learned just doesn’t fit the person in front of you. That’s when you have to question your sources and investigate what your knowledge is actually based on.

It’s good to be aware of the fact that people probably mean no harm: researchers stating their conclusions are not trying to mislead you, research articles often clearly state the scope of the study. This information is often generalized by journalists and people who don’t understand why you can’t simply take a research finding out of context.

So next time you encounter a catchy title or read the conclusion of a scientific study, be mindful of the study parameters and remember that what you’re presented with is a generalized picture—one that might not apply to everyone.

Conclusion

In research, averages help us understand broader patterns that emerge within groups. But in real life—and especially in yoga—each person’s unique needs, strengths, and limitations need to be taken into account.

So, when you come across an “average” in research, take it as a useful starting point, not a definitive rule. True teaching is about moving beyond averages and meeting each person exactly where they are.

Want to learn more about averages? Read this blog post!

Categories: : yoga science