I Tested Yoga to the People for 3 Months: Here's What Happened

Why I Decided to Test This

I'll be honest—I never thought I'd be the "yoga type." At 34, I spent most of my days hunched over a laptop, dealing with chronic lower back pain that had become my unwelcome companion for the past two years. My stress levels were through the roof, my flexibility was practically non-existent (I couldn't touch my toes without bending my knees), and my idea of exercise was walking to the coffee machine.

When a friend mentioned Yoga to the People, a donation-based yoga studio with locations in several cities and online classes, I was skeptical. I'd tried yoga once before at an expensive boutique studio where I felt completely out of place surrounded by people who seemed to have been doing downward dog since birth. But the "to the people" concept intrigued me—no fancy equipment required, no intimidating atmosphere, and most importantly, no pressure to spend $200 on designer yoga pants.

The final push came during a particularly brutal workday when I literally couldn't turn my neck to the left without wincing. Something had to change, and I decided to give Yoga to the People an honest three-month trial.

My Starting Point

Let me paint you a picture of where I was before starting this journey. It wasn't pretty.

Physical State:

Flexibility: Could barely reach past my knees in a forward fold
Back pain: 6-7 out of 10 on most days, spiking to 8-9 after long work sessions
Core strength: Struggled to hold a plank for more than 15 seconds
Balance: Wobbled like a newborn giraffe on one leg

Mental State:

Stress level: Constantly elevated, affecting my sleep
Sleep quality: Waking up 2-3 times per night
Energy levels: Relied on 3-4 cups of coffee daily just to function
Mind clarity: Scattered, difficulty focusing on single tasks

Lifestyle:

Exercise frequency: Maybe once a week, if that
Sitting time: 10-12 hours daily
Screen time: Practically all waking hours

My biggest frustrations were feeling trapped in my own body and the constant nagging thought that at 34, I shouldn't feel this old and stiff. I was also frustrated with how expensive wellness had become—every solution seemed to require a significant financial investment I wasn't ready to make.

The Process: Week by Week

Week 1: The Difficult Start

I downloaded the Yoga to the People app and signed up for their get ready to learn yoga beginner classes. My first class was a Tuesday evening "Yoga 101" session. I rolled out a cheap mat I'd bought from a discount store, wearing an old t-shirt and sweatpants, and connected my laptop to the TV.

The instructor, Maya, had this calm, non-judgmental energy that immediately put me at ease. But let me tell you—that first class was HUMBLING. Within the first ten minutes, I was already sweating and questioning every life choice that led me to this moment.

Day 1 observations:

My arms shook uncontrollably during the very first plank.
I couldn't do a proper chaturanga (that yoga push-up thing) and had to drop to my knees.
My hamstrings screamed during downward dog.
I spent half the class in child's pose, catching my breath.

The next morning, I could barely move. Muscles I didn't know existed were sore. I seriously considered quitting.

But I'd committed to three classes that first week, so I pushed through. Wednesday was a gentler flow class, which was more manageable. By Friday's class, I was still struggling, but I noticed something interesting—my mind felt quieter during the practice. For those 45 minutes, I wasn't thinking about work emails or my to-do list. I was just trying not to fall over.

Week 1 challenges:

Physical exhaustion after every class.
Feeling self-conscious even though I was alone at home.
Confusion about proper form and alignment.
Doubt about whether I could actually stick with this.

Week 2-3: First Signs of Progress

Week two started with a different mindset. Instead of dreading the classes, I felt curious about whether I could improve. I committed to four classes per week, mixing beginner flows with some gentle stretching sessions.

By day 10, something shifted. During a morning class, I realized I was holding downward dog for the full duration without desperately waiting for the next pose. My arms weren't shaking as violently, and I could actually breathe somewhat normally.

Notable improvements in weeks 2-3:

Held my first 30-second plank without collapsing.
Started waking up with less back stiffness (down to about 4-5 on the pain scale).
Managed to touch my shins in a forward fold (still not my toes, but progress!)
Needed one less cup of coffee in the morning.
Started looking forward to evening classes as a way to decompress.

I also started exploring different instructors on the platform. Each had their own style—some were more alignment-focused, others emphasized flow and breath. I found that I particularly enjoyed classes that incorporated more yoga for the core, even though they were harder.

The donation-based model really worked for me during this phase. Some weeks I'd contribute $10, other weeks $5, and one tough week when unexpected expenses hit, I contributed what I could. There was no guilt, no feeling like I wasn't getting my money's worth. This removed a significant barrier that would have caused me to quit a traditional studio.

Week 3 breakthrough moment: During a Wednesday evening class, the instructor guided us into tree pose. I'd failed at this every single time before, wobbling and putting my foot down within seconds. But this time, I found my balance, engaged my core like she'd been teaching, and held the pose for nearly 20 seconds. It sounds small, but I actually got emotional. It was the first real evidence that my body was changing.

Week 4: The Turning Point

Week four was when yoga stopped feeling like something I was forcing myself to do and started feeling like something I wanted to do. This was the turning point I hadn't expected so soon.

I increased my practice to five times per week, mixing in some intermediate classes to challenge myself. The Yoga to the People platform had a nice progression system that helped me identify when I was ready to level up.

Physical changes I noticed:

My back pain had decreased to a 3-4 on most days.
I could finally touch my toes (with straight legs!) for the first time since high school
My posture had improved noticeably—my partner even commented that I seemed taller.
I was sleeping through the night more consistently.
My plank time had increased to 45 seconds.

Mental shifts:

I started craving the practice on rest days.
My stress response felt less reactive.
I found myself taking "yoga breathing" into stressful work situations.
My focus during work hours had sharpened considerably.

The key realization in week four was that yoga wasn't just about the physical practice. The mental benefits were becoming just as important, if not more so. I started using the breathing techniques (pranayama) during anxious moments at work, and they actually helped. I was also pleased to learn about the cardiovascular benefits from my research into yoga for the heart.

I also joined a few live virtual classes through Yoga to the People's community platform, which added a social element I hadn't anticipated needing. Seeing other beginners struggle with the same poses made me feel less alone in the journey.

Months 2-3: The Results

Months two and three were about deepening my practice and establishing this as a genuine lifestyle change rather than a temporary experiment.

Month 2 developments:

I settled into a rhythm of five classes per week—three flow classes, one restorative/yin class, and one more challenging power yoga session. The variety kept things interesting and addressed different needs.

My body continued to transform in ways that surprised me. I wasn't losing weight (which wasn't my goal anyway), but my body composition was changing. My core felt stronger, my arms had definition I'd never seen before, and my legs felt more stable.

The back pain that had plagued me for two years was now only occasional, maybe a 2-3 on bad days, and completely absent on most days. I realized that much of my pain had come from weak core muscles and poor posture—both of which yoga was addressing.

Mental and emotional benefits:

My anxiety levels had noticeably decreased.
I was sleeping 7-8 hours consistently without waking.
Coffee consumption was down to 1-2 cups daily.
I felt more patient and less reactive in stressful situations.
My overall mood was more stable.

Month 3 consolidation:

By month three, yoga had become a non-negotiable part of my routine, like brushing my teeth. I didn't have to motivate myself to practice—my body actually craved it.

I started exploring more advanced poses, attempting (and sometimes succeeding at) crow pose and working toward a headstand with the wall for support. These weren't goals I'd set initially, but the natural progression of the practice led me there.

I also began appreciating the philosophy behind yoga, not just the physical practice. Yoga to the People's instructors often wove in subtle teachings about mindfulness, self-compassion, and being present. These concepts started influencing how I approached other areas of my life.

Unexpected lifestyle changes:

Started taking actual lunch breaks to do 15-minute stretching sessions.
Reduced screen time before bed, replacing it with gentle evening yoga.
Became more mindful about how I sat at my desk.
Started walking more, appreciating the increased mobility in my body.
My partner joined me for classes twice a week, and we even tried a fun three people yoga challenge with a friend, turning it into quality time together.

The Concrete Results

Let me break down the measurable changes over these three months:

Before:

Flexibility: Forward fold reached mid-shin (approximately 6 inches from toes)
Back pain frequency: Daily, averaging 6-7/10 intensity
Plank hold: 15 seconds maximum
Sleep quality: Waking 2-3 times per night, 5-6 hours total
Coffee dependency: 3-4 cups daily
Exercise frequency: 1 session per week (maybe)
Stress level: Self-rated 8/10
Balance: Could hold tree pose for 3-5 seconds

After (3 months):

Flexibility: Can touch toes comfortably, palms getting closer to floor (approximately 10-inch improvement)
Back pain frequency: 2-3 times per week at 2-3/10 intensity (70% reduction)
Plank hold: 90 seconds (500% increase)
Sleep quality: Sleeping through the night 5-6 nights per week, 7-8 hours total
Coffee dependency: 1-2 cups daily (50% reduction)
Exercise frequency: 5 yoga sessions per week consistently
Stress level: Self-rated 4-5/10 (50% reduction)
Balance: Can hold tree pose for 45+ seconds on good days

Additional measurable changes:

Resting heart rate decreased from 78 bpm to 68 bpm.
Added 2 inches to my reach in a seated forward fold test.
Successfully held crow pose for 5 seconds (something I never imagined possible).
Contributed approximately $120 total over 3 months (averaging $10/week when able)—compared to traditional studio costs of $600-900 for the same period.

What I Learned (That Nobody Tells You)

Positive Surprises

Yoga is a full-body workout in disguise. I thought yoga was just stretching, but I built legitimate strength. My arms, core, and legs all became noticeably stronger without touching a single weight. The functional strength I gained translated to everyday activities—carrying groceries, moving furniture, even just sitting upright felt easier.
The mental benefits hit faster than the physical ones. While my flexibility took weeks to improve significantly, I noticed better sleep and reduced anxiety within the first two weeks. The breathing techniques alone were worth the price of admission. I now use them during difficult conversations, before presentations, and when I feel overwhelmed.
You don't need expensive equipment or clothes. My $15 mat and old t-shirts worked perfectly fine. The Yoga to the People philosophy of accessibility is real—nobody cares what you're wearing or what your mat looks like. This removed a barrier that keeps many people from starting.
Rest days become essential and welcomed. I learned that taking 1-2 rest days per week wasn't slacking—it was when my body actually adapted and grew stronger. The restorative classes counted as active recovery, which was a game-changer for preventing burnout.
The practice follows you off the mat. The mindfulness and body awareness I developed during yoga started appearing in daily life. I noticed when I was tensing my shoulders at my desk, when my breathing was shallow during stress, and when I needed to move and stretch.

Disappointments

Progress isn't linear. Some days I felt like I was regressing. Poses that felt easy one day would be challenging the next. I had to learn to accept that the body has natural fluctuations, and that's okay. This was frustrating initially because I expected consistent forward progress.
Online classes miss some of the magic. While Yoga to the People's virtual platform was excellent, I occasionally felt like I was missing out on in-person adjustments and the energy of a group class. When I finally attended an in-person class in month three, the difference was noticeable. The instructor could see and correct my alignment in ways that weren't possible virtually.
Not all instructors clicked with me. I had to try several different teachers before finding ones whose style resonated with my needs. Some were too fast-paced, others too slow, some talked too much, others not enough. This trial and error took time and sometimes made classes feel like a chore rather than a joy.
The philosophical aspects can feel overwhelming. Some classes incorporated Sanskrit terms, chakra discussions, and spiritual concepts that felt foreign and sometimes uncomfortable for me as a complete beginner. While I eventually appreciated these elements, initially they created a barrier to feeling like I belonged.
You still need discipline. The donation-based model, while financially accessible, meant I had to create my own accountability. Without the financial commitment of a monthly membership, it was easier to skip classes. I had to build genuine internal motivation rather than relying on the "I paid for this, so I should go" mentality.

Do I Recommend It?

YES, if:

You're intimidated by traditional yoga studios. Yoga to the People's approach removes the pretension and exclusivity that can make yoga feel inaccessible. If you've felt like yoga "isn't for you" because of cost, body type, or experience level, this is your entry point.
You have a flexible budget. The donation-based model is perfect for students, freelancers, or anyone whose income fluctuates.