Myths and Truths About Yoga Teacher Training

At Lotus River Wellness, we hear it all the time: “I’d love to do Yoga Teacher Training, but…”

There are so many myths out there about what Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) is, who it’s for, and what it requires. These myths often keep women from stepping into something that could completely change the trajectory of their lives.

That’s why we created this series of Myths and Truths to set the record straight, clear away the misconceptions, and invite you into the truth of what YTT really is: a life-giving, flexible, and deeply empowering path.

Myth #1: Yoga Teacher Training is only for 20-year-olds with six-pack abs.

• Truth: YTT is for women with life experience who want to reconnect with themselves, their health, and their purpose.

• This is one of the most common and most damaging myths. Yoga isn’t about looking a certain way, and neither is Yoga Teacher Training. The most powerful teachers (and students) are often those who bring depth, wisdom, and real-world perspective to their practice. At LRW, many of our students are mothers, professionals, and military spouses who never imagined themselves in a yoga program. And yet, they find themselves right at home.

Myth #2: Yoga Teacher Training is only for people who want to teach.

• Truth: Many students join YTT simply to deepen their practice and reclaim themselves.

• Not every student graduates and runs to open a studio and that’s perfectly okay. For many women, YTT is about personal healing, self-discovery, and growth. Some never teach a single class, but what they gain in knowledge, confidence, and peace of mind impacts every area of their lives: family, relationships, health, and careers.

Myth #3: I don’t have time for Yoga Teacher Training.

• Truth: YTT is designed to fit into busy, real life, especially mom life.

• The beauty of our program at Lotus River Wellness is that it was built with women like you in mind. We know life doesn’t slow down, so our structure allows you to learn at your own pace while still staying connected to your cohort. Whether you’re juggling school drop-offs, deployments, or work deadlines, this training is flexible enough to move with you.

Myth #4: Yoga is about flexibility.

• Truth: Yoga is about balance in your body, mind, and life.

• The images we see online often reduce yoga to stretching or touching your toes, but yoga is so much deeper. It’s about cultivating harmony in all areas of life, the physical, mental, and spiritual. When we recognize that yoga is about balance, not just bendiness, it becomes accessible to every body and every season of life.

Myth #5: Yoga Teacher Training is selfish.

• Truth: Caring for yourself first is the foundation for caring for everyone else.

• Especially in the military community, spouses are often conditioned to put themselves last. But here’s the reality: when you are depleted, burned out, or disconnected, everyone around you feels it. Investing in yourself through YTT isn’t selfish, it’s an act of love. It gives you the tools to show up healthier, calmer, and stronger for your family, your community, and yourself.

Myth #6: Becoming a yoga teacher means you have to change careers.

• Truth: Many women do it just for themselves, their families, and their communities, no career switch required.

• For some, YTT sparks a whole new career path. For others, it simply adds a layer of richness to the life they’re already living. You don’t have to quit your job, overhaul your plans, or suddenly become a full-time instructor. You can use what you learn to share yoga with your kids, host small classes in your living room, or weave it into your wellness journey. The possibilities are wide open, and they’re yours to shape.

The Real Truth

The real truth is this: Yoga Teacher Training is not about fitting a mold. It’s about breaking free of the myths that hold you back and embracing a path that helps you reconnect with who you are at your core.

At Lotus River Wellness, we believe YTT is for every woman who feels the pull to grow, whether it’s to heal, to learn, to teach, or to create something new for herself and her family.

...Maybe it’s your time.