Healing through Movement

Yoga is one of my favorite ways to practice wellness, and it’s about more than fancy poses—it’s about connecting to your breath and taking up space. Practicing yoga never has to be more complicated than taking a deep breath.

Let’s practice yoga together right now. Start by closing your eyes, relaxing your shoulders, and taking a deep breath. Fill up from the tips of your toes to the crown of your head. Feel how it relaxes that spot right in between your shoulders or the wrinkles in between your eyebrows? That’s yoga in action.

Yoga means union—it’s about bringing together all the pieces of yourself without judgment or critique. People will say you’ve gotta practice every day, or in the morning, or for a particular amount of time. But you really don’t need to sweat the details. Whether it’s five minutes or five hours, any time that you devote to finding stillness within yourself is time well spent. And honestly, the days you don’t practice yoga are the days that teach you the most about it. So be kind to yourself. Honor your body for what it brings to your journey, and don’t ever worry about what it looks like.

I hope you find a movement practice that works for you. It doesn’t have to be yoga. Really, anything will do. As long as you’re connecting to the breath within your mystical meat suit, you’re getting all the practice you need.

Practice yoga with Jessamyn Stanley in a class called “Back in 30.” It’s a great way to break up the day, get a little yoga in, and connect with yourself.