Let’s Clear Up What Yoga Really Is—From Someone Who’s Been There

When I first thought about trying yoga, I hesitated. I had all these ideas in my head things I had seen on social media or heard from friends. “You have to be super flexible.” “It’s only for spiritual people.” “Real yoga means chanting and standing on your head.”

Sound familiar?

If you’ve been holding back from starting yoga because of some of these assumptions, I get it. I was in the same boat. But once I actually got on the mat, joined a few classes, and even enrolled in a 200 hour yoga teacher training course, I realized most of what I believed about yoga just wasn’t true.

So let’s bust some of the most common yoga myths and talk about what yoga is really about.

Myth 1: You Have to Be Flexible to Do Yoga

Truth: Yoga helps you become flexible.

This is probably the biggest one. So many people tell me, “I can’t do yoga I can’t even touch my toes!”

Here’s the thing: yoga isn’t a performance. It’s a practice. No one shows up to their first class a pro. Flexibility is something that develops over time, with consistent movement and breath. When I started, I couldn’t even sit cross-legged comfortably. Now? I move with more ease, but it came slowly and naturally.

Whether you’re joining a class at home or diving into a yoga training, know this: your body is already welcome, exactly as it is.

Myth 2: Yoga Is Only for Women

Truth: Yoga is for every body—regardless of gender.

Historically, yoga was actually practiced mostly by men in ancient India. The idea that yoga is only for women is a modern, Western misunderstanding.

In every yoga course I’ve taken, including my 200 hour yoga teacher training course, the diversity has been beautiful. Men, women, young, old, flexible, stiff yoga doesn’t care who you are. If you can breathe, you can do yoga.

So if you're holding back because of this myth, please don’t. Your mat doesn’t have labels. It just holds space for you.

Myth 3: Yoga Is Just Stretching

Truth: Yoga is a full mind-body practice.

Yes, there’s stretching. But yoga goes far beyond that.

Yoga combines physical postures, breathwork, meditation, and self-awareness. It strengthens your body, calms your nervous system, sharpens your focus, and connects you inward. There’s a reason people feel amazing after a session it works on multiple levels.

During my yoga training in Rishikesh, I finally understood how layered yoga really is. The physical practice is just one small piece of a much bigger, richer puzzle. And trust me, the deeper you go, the more rewarding it gets.

Myth 4: You Have to Be Spiritual or Religious

Truth: Yoga is not a religion it’s a personal practice.

This was a big concern for me when I started. I worried, “Do I have to chant? Believe in certain things? Will it clash with my own beliefs?”

The short answer: no.

Yoga is a philosophy and a life>

In Rishikesh, where yoga is taught in its most authentic form, I learned that yoga welcome everyone regardless of faith or background. That’s one of the reasons so many international students come here for yoga in Rishikesh the approach is inclusive and respectful.

Myth 5: Yoga Takes Years to See Results

Truth: You’ll feel a difference almost immediately.

It doesn’t take years. It can take just one class.

After my very first yoga session, I felt lighter and more relaxed. I didn’t know the poses, I wobbled in half of them, and I had no clue what I was doing but I felt better. And that’s the point.

The longer you stick with it, the deeper the results. But don’t underestimate the power of just showing up. Whether it’s ten minutes at home or a full hour in a studio, yoga meets you where you are.

Myth 6: You Need to Go to India to Learn “Real” Yoga

Truth: You can start anywhere—but learning in India adds depth.

You don’t need to travel to India to begin yoga. There are great teachers and classes all around the world. But if you ever get the chance, experiencing yoga in Rishikesh where it all began is something truly special.

I did my 200 hour yoga teacher training course in Rishikesh, and it was life-changing. The energy, the history, the teachers it was like stepping into the soul of yoga. It gave me a deeper understanding, not just of the postures, but of the life>

But don’t wait until you can book a flight. Start where you are. The mat in your bedroom is just as sacred.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Myths Hold You Back

If you’ve been curious about yoga but unsure because of what you’ve heard, I hope this article clears the air.

Yoga isn’t about perfection or performance. It’s about showing up for yourself. It’s about breathing, moving, and discovering who you are beneath the surface noise.

Whether you're dipping your toes into a beginner class, exploring yoga training, or considering a 200 hour yoga teacher training course, remember this your yoga journey is yours. There’s no right way to start. There’s only starting.

So roll out your mat. Let go of the myths. And just begin.