Is Yoga Really for Me? Here’s What No One Tells Beginners

I have zero flexibility.

I have no clue on what I’m doing [on the mat].

There’s a studio near me, but I keep hesitating.

Sound familiar?

If I had a penny for every time someone told me, “I’d love to try yoga, but I’m just not flexible enough”, I’d have two pennies, but that’s a lot because no one is talking about this.

The truth is that flexibility is a part of a yoga practice, but probably not in the way you’re thinking.

Yes, many yoga poses (asana) do ask for a degree of physical mobility. But the deeper goal of yoga goes far beyond touching your toes or mastering a handstand.

Then… what’s the goal of yoga practice?

As the ancient sage Patanjali wrote in the Yoga Sutras—one of the foundational texts of the yoga tradition, composed sometime between 500 BCE and 450 CE:

Yogas chitta vrtti nirodhah

Brief Sanskrit translation (for nerds like me):

Nirodhah: restraint or suppression

Chitta: mind, mental or consciousness

Vrtti: modifications or fluctuations

Following this definition, Yoga is the method by which the restless mind is calmed and the energy directed into constructive channels (Iyengar, 2021).

It’s not about having a bendy body. It’s about cultivating a steady mind, and learning to be present with what is.

Yoga is the path that helps us observe, understand, and eventually quiet the fluctuations of the mind.

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

Trying anything for the first time is scary and yoga is no exception. It can feel awkward, especially when you’re moving your body in unfamiliar ways (but don’t worry, with practice, you’ll actually start to crave that sense of unfamiliarity), surrounded by others who might seem like they know what they’re doing.

But what if, instead of focusing on the fear, you asked yourself what might be waiting for you on the other side of that discomfort?

Often, the fear of being judged or not being “good enough” in class actually reveals something deeper: a desire to reconnect with parts of ourselves we’ve ignored.

That stiffness or tightness might just be your body asking to be seen, softened, and supported.

At the end of the day, awareness of your body—awareness of your tightness—is what advanced yoga actually looks like.

Even after twelve years of consistent yoga practice, I still struggle with inflexible hamstrings. Yet my practice has paid off—and it’s been so worth pursuing.

If you spend an entire class in Child’s Pose, fully present with every inch of your body, you’re practicing a more advanced form of yoga than someone moving through the most complex sequence without attention (what we call awareness in the yoga world).

Woman practicing yoga at home on a mat in a cozy room. Embracing fitness and wellness indoors. — Child’s Pose (*Balasana*)

Understanding that yoga goes beyond a specific pose, body type, or physical ability is key to deepening your practice.

Advanced yoga looks different for…

Two adults practicing yoga in a serene indoor setting, focusing on relaxation and wellness.

everyone

Plus size woman in yoga pose outdoors promoting fitness and healthy living.

everyone

A woman performs a headstand yoga pose on a mat indoors, emphasizing balance and strength.

everyone

A woman meditates peacefully on a yoga mat indoors, promoting mindfulness and relaxation.

everyone

So if you’re hyper-aware of your tightness: consider yourself on the right path.

When you shift your focus from fear to curiosity—or from limitation to possibility—your capacity for growth expands more than you realize.

But, I Don’t Know Anything About Yoga

The fear of being a beginner is completely natural, and you might be feeling it too.

Starting something new, especially without clear guidance, can feel intimidating. It’s vulnerable to not know what you’re doing, to not have all the answers, and to show up anyway.

But here’s a secret from the teacher’s side: I love working with beginners.

They’re often the ones who grow the fastest. When they come in with curiosity and an open mind, their learning feels natural and organic. There’s no unlearning to do, just exploration, discovery, and steady progress.

Remember: you’re seeking out a teacher because you want to learn. No one expects you to know everything—not in your first class, and not ever. Even the most advanced yogis are still students of the practice.

It’s far more valuable to walk into a class with an open heart than to think you already have all the answers. Too many people—beginner and advanced alike—believe they know everything, and end up learning nothing.

Start were you are

Yoga begins with showing up—not just on the mat, but with yourself, in this moment.

And remember: during a yoga class, no one is watching you.

People are focused on their own breath, their own bodies, and the teacher’s guidance. You are free to be with yourself.

Yoga is a journey inward. Practicing with others simply means you’re all walking that path together—each in your own way.

A woman stretches with arms raised, silhouetted against a crescent moon and evening sky. — Go for it!

I wrote about my experience during my very first yoga class. Spoiler: I had no idea what I was doing. Check out the article here if you’d like to read about my journey.