5 Myths About Indian Yoga That the West Still Believes

Let’s clear the mat and talk truthfully.

Yoga has travelled far and wide from the banks of the Saraswati and Ganga to the polished floors of global studios and wellness retreats. And while this global journey has brought the practice to millions - which is beautiful - it’s also gathered some extra baggage along the way: misconceptions that blur what yoga truly is.

At Samyak Yoga, we’ve met students from over 80 countries - each bringing their own understanding, questions, and curiosities. Many arrive surprised (and often relieved!) to find that yoga isn’t what Instagram told them it was.

So here it is an honest conversation about 5 myths about Indian yoga in the Western world.

5 myths about Indian yoga

Myth 1: Yoga Is Just a Fancy Stretching Routine

Let’s set this straight: Yes, yoga makes your body strong and flexible. But that’s the side effect, not the purpose.

Yoga, in its essence, is a darshana - a system of philosophy that guides us toward liberation (moksha). The postures (asanas) are just one piece of an eight-limbed path (Ashtanga Yoga) that includes ethical living, pranayama, meditation, and ultimately, freedom from suffering.

At Samyak, we often remind students:

“Asana is not the goal. Awareness is.”

You don’t need to touch your toes - you need to touch your truth.

Myth 2: You Can Strip Yoga of Its Spiritual Roots and Still Call It Yoga

There’s this idea floating around: “Yoga is spiritual, not religious” - and while there’s some nuance to that, too often it becomes an excuse to remove Sanskrit, ignore mantra, skip dhyana, and reduce yoga to fitness.

But yoga comes from a cultural and spiritual context - rooted in the Vedas, Upanishads, Tantra, and Bhakti traditions. The word “Yoga” itself means union - and that union goes far beyond hamstrings.

You don’t need to believe in anything. But to truly walk the path, we invite you to honor where it comes from. It’s not about exoticizing the East. It’s about not erasing it.

Myth 3: Modern Postures Were Invented Recently - So Tradition Doesn’t Matter

There’s a trend lately to say, “Asanas are modern. The old yogis never did this.” That’s only partly true.

Yes, the presentation of asanas has evolved (thank you, Krishnamacharya!).

But if you open texts like the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita, or even older Tantric manuals, you’ll find postures, bandhas, and mudras that look a lot like what we do today.

Yoga was always a living tradition. It adapted - but it didn’t abandon its purpose.

So instead of tossing tradition aside, what if we practiced with curiosity and reverence?

Myth 4: Yoga Is Self-Care and Always Feels Good

We hear this a lot: “Yoga helps me relax.”“Yoga is my escape.”“Yoga is my me-time.”

And while yes, yoga can be deeply nurturing, that’s not all it is. Traditional yoga asks you to sit with discomfort.

To confront your ego. To examine your attachments. It’s not always easy. It’s not always comfortable. But it is transformational.

It’s tapas (discipline), svadhyaya (self-study), and Ishwarapranidhana (surrender).

At Samyak, we often say:

“Yoga isn’t about escaping your life. It’s about waking up within it.”

Myth 5: Yoga Belongs to Everyone, So Its Origins Don’t Matter

This is where things get tricky. Of course, yoga is for everyone—every body, every background, every country.

But yoga is also from somewhere.It’s deeply tied to Indian history, language, and spiritual worldview. Saying “it belongs to everyone” should not mean erasing the culture that birthed it.

We can share yoga across the world without turning OM into a logo, mantras into jingles, or gurus into brands.

Respect isn’t gatekeeping. It’s just good practice.

Final Thoughts

Yoga is not a trend. It’s not a workout. And it’s definitely not a product.

It’s a path - a profound, time-tested path that invites us to live more consciously, more ethically, and more truthfully.

So if you’ve ever believed these myths - don’t worry. You’re not alone.But now that you know - come walk deeper.

Because yoga, in its true form, is waiting for you to meet it fully.