Is It Yoga, or Is It Exercise?

Have you ever taken a yoga class and felt lost, unwelcome, or even worse — hurt yourself?

More and more, I hear from people who say they tried yoga and had a bad experience. The class moved too fast. The poses were too challenging. They couldn’t keep up. When they struggled, the only option offered was, “If you can’t do this, just rest in Child’s Pose.”

As Ayurveda and Yoga Teacher, mentor, and author, Indu Arora says, "Yoga is not a workout. It is a work-in."

I’ve even heard stories of instructors warning new students that “a lot of people get injured in this class,” or outdoor “Yoga Adventures” where participants were left behind - literally.

These situations frustrate me — and they make me sad. It’s no wonder so many people think yoga isn’t for them.

But here’s the truth: that’s not yoga.

Those are exercise classes using yoga poses. Yoga is so much more than a physical workout. As Ayurveda and Yoga Teacher, mentor, and author, Indu Arora says, "Yoga is not a workout. It is a work-in."

What Makes Yoga Different?

So, if that class you took wasn’t really yoga, what is yoga?

Let’s start by clearing up a few common myths.

Yoga Is Not About Strength, Flexibility, or Balance

Sure, those things might improve over time, but that’s not the purpose of the practice. The physical postures — called asana — were originally designed to help us become more comfortable in our bodies so we can sit, breathe, and meditate with ease.

The real goal of yoga is a calm and steady mind that can rest in stillness and awareness.

There Are No “Levels” in Yoga

Every pose can be adapted to meet your body where it is today. Props, variations, and modifications aren’t signs of limitation — they’re tools of empowerment.

A supported version of a pose offers just as much benefit as a more “advanced” variation. What matters isn’t how it looks — it’s how it feels, and what you’re cultivating internally.

Yoga Should Not Hurt or Leave You Exhausted

A mindful yoga practice nourishes your energy, not depletes it. Through intentional sequencing (vinyasa krama), yoga can calm the nervous system, sharpen focus, build vitality, and increase intuition.

The physical benefits — better balance, improved flexibility, stronger muscles — are wonderful, but they’re simply the side effects of a deeper practice.

The Missing Pieces: Breath, Alignment, and Awareness

If your class never mentioned breath, or if breathing cues were limited to “inhale, exhale” with no space to explore the quality of your breath — that’s a red flag.

If alignment cues were skimmed over, or if no variations were offered so that everybody could safely access the pose — that’s another sign.

True yoga honors breath, alignment, and self-awareness equally. It invites you to listen inward, not push harder.

Yoga Is a Work-In

So next time you unroll your mat, ask yourself:

Am I just moving my body, or am I connecting with myself?

Yoga isn’t about performing — it’s about presence. It’s a practice of awareness and steady attention that extends far beyond the mat.

When we approach yoga as a work-in, we move from effort to ease, from doing to being — and that’s where the real transformation begins.

---

About the Author

Tracy Hovde is the owner of Highland Healing Arts in Clear Lake, Wisconsin. She is a licensed massage therapist and experienced yoga instructor dedicated to helping people reconnect with their bodies, calm their minds, and cultivate sustainable self-care through mindful movement and holistic wellness.

Ready to Experience Yoga as a Work-In?

Join us for a yoga class at Highland Healing Arts