Yoga has a public relations problem. Open any social media platform and search for #yoga, and you’ll likely see a narrow range of hyper-flexible bodies balancing on cliffs, executing advanced postures in perfect lighting. While these images are awe-inspiring, they also perpetuate a myth: that yoga is only for the young, the fit, the able-bodied, and the photogenic.

This image of yoga—rooted more in marketing than in the actual tradition—excludes the majority of people who could benefit from the practice. It also reduces yoga to its most superficial limb: asana, or the physical poses. But yoga is not a performance art. It’s a path inward. A way to connect with the breath, with stillness, and with a more profound truth that doesn’t require a mirror or a photo.

The emphasis on postures also discourages people who don’t see themselves represented. For those in larger bodies, those with disabilities, older adults, and even beginners, the message can be clear: yoga isn’t for you. But yoga belongs to everyone. The tradition is vast, encompassing ethics (Yamas and Niyamas), breathwork (Pranayama), meditation (Dhyana), and more. These practices are powerful regardless of one’s ability to touch their toes.

As teachers and practitioners, we have a responsibility to change the visual culture of yoga. That might mean sharing images of diverse bodies in everyday settings, de-emphasizing aesthetics in favor of presence, and choosing language that invites rather than intimidates. Yoga isn’t a photoshoot—it’s a practice of presence, humility, and healing.

At Treasure Coast Yoga Academy, we believe yoga is a homecoming, not a competition. We aim to evolve the public image of yoga into something more inclusive, honest, and rooted in the heart of the tradition. Because the actual yoga pose—the only one that matters—is the one that brings you back to yourself.