Why I Thought Yoga Wasn’t for Me (And How Kundalini Yoga Changed That)

You've probably heard something positive about yoga 🧘🏼‍♀️.

The way it brings calmness, reduces stress and anxiety or helps you feel more connected to yourself.

But if you've never tried it before, you might be wondering where to even begin?

• What type of yoga should I choose?

• Which teacher is the best?

• Do I need a special yoga mat?

• Or is yoga even for me?

I've been practicing Kundalini Yoga since 2019, but before that, my experience was limited to a few trial classes and a rather sceptical attitude.

Kundalini Yoga with my sister in the salt cave in Greece (2019)

Why I Thought Yoga Wasn’t for Me

For a long time, meditation and yoga seemed to me like some kind of Zen thing, accessible only to spiritual people, who appeared to live in a different world where everyone was happy, enlightened, and somehow free from everyday worries.

I guess like this Happy Hippie vibes or something like that..

(and I couldn't relate)

At the same time, yoga seemed to be becoming like "the next cool thing to do."

I started seeing "yoga wannabes" - people I'd never associate with mindfulness or self-awareness. Like my ex boyfriend's brother, who once showed up with a yoga mat and loudly announced that his 5 a.m. yoga routine had “made him a better person." 🙂🔫

So, with all these impressions, yoga simply didn't feel like something for me. And I definitely didn't understand where all those magical benefits — healing, inner peace, and the famous "Zen mode" were supposed to come from.

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Trying My First Yoga Classes Abroad

Back when I lived in Finland 🇫🇮, my Finnish friend (a true expert in finding every discount and free trial in town), took me to a yoga studio in Helsinki that offered a special month for newcomers to try different classes.

The first one we signed up for was Hot Yoga 🔥.

Oh boy, how I didn't like it 😁.

The room was small.

Packed with people.

And hot (obviously).

There was the smell of sweat, and everything just felt uncomfortable. The teacher walked quickly between us and spoke loudly whenever it was time to change poses.

Everyone seemed to know exactly what they were doing, while I was trying to understand where my hands, and legs were supposed to go and which way my head should turn.

Instead of feeling calm, I just wanted to leave.

So we dropped it and tried Aerial Yoga next 🤸🏻🤸🏻.

This was completely different experience! Doing tricks, hanging upside down and moving your body in ways you normally couldn't felt fun & exciting! It reminded me of the circus 🎪.

But I was afraid of one thing...and it wasn't falling.

The class was in Finnish, which I didn't speak well. My overthinking brain imagined how I will be wrapped inside the "cocoon" and not understanding the instructions while everyone else moved on to the next exercise.

Yep, pretty much like that.

Before the class, I told the teacher about my worries. She smiled and promised to repeat important instructions in English.

Luckily, I never got stuck 👍

Although we both loved the class, it was also the most expensive one. Once the discounted month ended, so did our "circus time".

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Discovering Kundalini Yoga During Grief

The next time I gave yoga another chance was in Spain. It was an evening class in the beautiful María Luisa Park in Seville, right next to a pond where swans swam.

I don't even remember what type of yoga it was, I just went because yoga classes were popping up like mushrooms 🍄‍🟫 after rain in expat groups, and I wanted to meet new people.

Part of me hoped for some kind of breakthrough moment during that yoga class under the moonlight 🌜.

But it never came.

So I decided yoga probably wasn't for me.

Until life brought it back in a very different way.

This time, yoga found me during one of the most difficult periods of my life. Shortly after my fiancé passed away unexpectedly, I was introduced to Kundalini Yoga as a way to cope with grief and anxiety.

My sister, who had practiced yoga for years and called it a "lifestyle," connected me with her friend and yoga teacher, Lynn Ruolo.

Lynn’s famous rooftop yoga classes facing the Acropolis 🇬🇷

Lynn met me online, introduced me to the Enneagram and helped me identify my type and then created a personalised yoga schedule in Excel. The schedule included videos, music recommendations, and space for reflections after each session. She followed my progress and replied to my notes every day.

In the beginning, everything was new and strange.

I couldn't memorize the words of tuning-in mantra. I had no idea what Kriya or Sat Nam meant. But this personalized and guided introduction to Kundalini built a strong foundation. And most importantly, I trusted the teacher.

Today, Kundalini Yoga is definitely one of the most valuable wellbeing tools in my mental health toolbox.

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3 Tips If You're New to Yoga

1. The teacher matters more than the yoga style

I've tried yoga with different teachers in Finland, Spain, Greece, and online.

I truly believe a teacher can either kill or thrill the experience (I think I just made this expression up 😁). Some simply don't match your vibe.

For me, a good yoga teacher has the right mix of presence, tone of voice, calmness, and the ability to make you feel safe and comfortable. Without that connection, even your favourite yoga style may not feel right.

I once joined a Kundalini Yoga class in Valencia. After great experiences with Lynn, I expected something similar.

But it wasn't.

The teacher rushed the tuning‑in mantra, and the energy felt off, and instead of relaxing, my mind kept noticing things that didn’t feel right.

The only thing I took from that class was the beautiful closing song in Spanish.

👉 Not every teacher will be your teacher.

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2. Don't let language stop you

When you're living abroad, it's normal to wonder when your language level is “good enough” to join local activities.

Yoga can feel tricky because you normally need to close your eyes and follow verbal instructions. You can peek at others, but many movements involve breathing or engaging your core - things you can’t easily copy visually.

Even when my Spanish had reached a B2 level, I still came across new vocabulary in yoga classes.

So give yourself time.

Start with a teacher who speaks English, ask questions beforehand, or learn a bit about the class structure before you go.

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3. When Yoga Finally Finds You

• Sometimes it's the wrong class.

• Sometimes it's the wrong teacher.

• And sometimes it's simply the wrong moment in life.

For years, I couldn't understand how yoga could bring peace, clarity, or healing. Then life threw me into one of its hardest chapters, and suddenly, I found a teacher and a practice that arrived at exactly the right moment.

For me, that was Kundalini Yoga.

For you, it might be something completely different.

Keep exploring.

💭 Are you practicing yoga already, or still searching for your style? Share in the comments.