how yoga helps me navigate stress, by EB

This article was written for yooou! by our summer intern 17-year-old, EB.

Hi! Life is a journey that can be both exciting and rewarding; however, life can be super stressful too!

As a high school senior, I juggle many responsibilities such as ACT Prep, college applications, academics, and sports. On top of these stressed, there are all the responsibilities at home too.

Throughout high school I have had to find the delicate balance of maintaining and upholding my commitments while honoring my need for zen and peace. Through my journey, I found yoga!

Yoga is something that has helped me be able to center and clear my mind throughout all the chaos around me. There is so much that can go on in every person’s lives and it is important to find something for yourself that helps calm you down.

When I first started doing yoga I didn’t quite understand how impactful this would be in my life. In yoga, one of the most important things the instructor will tell you is to focus on your breathing. This is so you can clear your mind and calm your body down.

I highly suggest to anyone who hasn’t found their way of getting away from all of the stress in life, to pick up doing yoga.  

As I continued my yoga practice, I discovered not just physical benefits but also emotional and mental clarity. Each session became a retreat from the external pressures and a time for self-care.

One instance that stands out to me was a time my Junior year where I had so much going on in my life. I had friendship problems I was dealing with, loads of schoolwork/tests that next week, and even problems at home. I decided I needed to leave my bedroom and take my mind off of all of the chaos.

Once I got to the Yoga Studio, Ritual One, I got into a class and gradually, my mind quieted, and my body relaxed. I ended that session feeling more grounded and feeling better about the upcoming week.

Yoga has also connected me with a supportive community with other people who share similar struggles. This sense of belonging has been incredibly comforting to me, knowing that I am not alone.

If you’re searching for your own way to manage stress and clear your mind, I wholeheartedly recommend giving yoga a try. Whether you’re a student like me, an adult, or anyone needing to calm their minds down, yoga can be an extremely helpful tool.

To read another article on mediation and yoga, click here.