Starting Yoga: The Biggest Worries (and Why You Don’t Need to Let Them Hold You Back)
Written By Keeley Jean-Baptiste
Starting something new can feel overwhelming. If you’ve ever thought about trying yoga but hesitated, you’re not alone. I hear the same worries all the time:
“I’ll be judged.”
“I won’t be flexible enough.”
“I’ll forget the poses.”
“I won’t be able to keep up.”
These are completely natural thoughts when stepping into unfamiliar territory. But here’s the truth: yoga isn’t about being “good” at it. It’s about exploring movement, breath, and mindset—and allowing yourself to learn and grow, without pressure.
Yoga is About Growth—and That Means Discomfort
Part of the process of yoga is also about building resilience. When you first begin, it’s quite normal to feel as though you hate it. Yoga is about pushing your boundaries—growth happens when we move out of our comfort zone, both in mind and in body. In the beginning, it can feel uncomfortable. Feelings of anxiety might arise, and you might even feel the urge to run away! This is where the breath comes in. The breath is our anchor, and the more we practice sitting with and releasing discomfort, the easier it becomes. Over time, you’ll start to find enjoyment in your practice—but this is not an easy process.
Remember, in order to grow, we must leave our comfort zone.
"I’ll Be Judged"—But Will You?
One of the most common fears is worrying about what others think. But in a yoga class, no one is watching you the way you think they are. Everyone is focused on their own practice, their own breath, and their own experience. And in my classes? Judgment simply doesn’t exist.
In fact, if you wobble or fall out of a pose, you’re doing it right. That’s where growth happens—not just physically, but mentally. When we wobble, our brain gathers data: Was it a loss of focus? A weaker muscle group? Each moment of instability is an opportunity to learn.
Beyond that, yoga challenges the inner critical voice that tells us we shouldn’t make mistakes. But should we listen to that voice? Sometimes, yes. It helps us stay safe and aware. But other times, it holds us back—keeping us from playing, from taking risks, from having fun. Learning to question this voice is just as much a part of yoga as the physical poses.
Even as a teacher, I experience this. When I try a new sequence, sometimes it looks like I’ve never practiced yoga a day in my life. But I know that, with repetition, I’ll improve. This is the process, and it’s the same for everyone. My classes are a space where you’re meant to fall, to wobble, and to figure things out.
And the best part? The more you step outside your comfort zone in a supported environment like yoga, the more you’ll feel confident doing it in life. You’ll begin to trust yourself, knowing that nothing bad happens when you try, stumble, and try again.
"I’m Not Flexible Enough"—Why That Doesn’t Matter
If you’re thinking, “I’m too stiff for yoga,” I get it. Many people assume they need to be flexible first, but yoga isn’t about touching your toes—it’s about what you learn on the way down.
Most of us start with tightness, imbalances, and limitations. That’s normal. The goal isn’t to force flexibility—it’s to move with awareness and gradually build strength, mobility, and ease in your body.
Flexibility is just one piece of the puzzle. More importantly, yoga helps you:
Strengthen muscles and joints so your body moves better in everyday life.
Improve mobility and balance to prevent stiffness and injuries.
Tune into what your body needs instead of forcing it into shapes that don’t serve you.
Progress happens with consistency, not perfection. And over time, you might be surprised at what your body can do.
"I’ll Forget the Poses"—Why That’s Normal
Yoga has its own language, and remembering poses can feel like learning a new skill—just like navigating a new town or learning the layout of a shop. At first, everything feels unfamiliar. You might struggle to recall where things are or what comes next. But with repetition, it becomes second nature.
Your brain creates neural pathways each time you move through a sequence. The more you do it, the more natural it feels—until one day, you’re flowing without even thinking about it.
So if you feel lost at first, that’s okay. That’s how learning works.
"I Won’t Be Able to Keep Up"—Let’s Rethink That
Yoga isn’t about keeping up—it’s about tuning in. Some days, your energy will be high, and movement will feel easy. Other days, you might need to slow down and modify. That’s not failure—that’s listening to your body.
In my classes, I encourage you to:
Take breaks when needed.
Modify poses to suit where you’re at.
Move at your own pace—without comparison.
This ability to adjust, rather than force through discomfort, translates beyond the mat. It teaches you how to handle stress, challenge, and intensity in life with greater awareness.
The Importance of Rest—Why Savasana Feels So Good
We often take rest for granted, but when we’ve truly worked our minds and bodies hard, those moments of pause become sublime. The work we do prior prepares us for deep rest—both physically and mentally.
Physiologically, yoga helps us access the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest mode). Through movement and breath, we transition from a heightened state of activity to a state of relaxation, allowing the body to recover deeply.
In moments like Savasana, this shift becomes tangible. Because we’ve spent time activating and strengthening our bodies, rest feels more natural, effortless, and incredibly rewarding. This is why, after a well-structured class, Savasana doesn’t feel like simply lying down—it feels like an invitation to fully let go.
Learning to embrace these pauses is just as important as the physical practice itself. They teach us that rest isn’t just something we allow ourselves—it’s something we need in order to thrive.
Final Thoughts
Yoga isn’t about being “good” at it. It’s about showing up, learning, and growing—without pressure or perfection.
If you’ve been wanting to try yoga but these worries have held you back, I’d love for you to join me in class. Let’s move, wobble, and explore together.