From Stiff to Serene: My Unexpected Journey into Yoga Bliss

Ever scroll through social media, amazed by people who seem to bend and twist like it’s nothing? You might think, "They must have practiced for years. I could never get there."

And here’s where I have to stop you—I was in the same boat just a few months ago. I couldn’t even touch my toes. Imagine a rusty, creaky washing machine trying to stretch—that was me!

Yoga wasn’t something I’d ever imagined myself falling in love with. I used to think I needed fast, high-energy workouts to feel good—cardio was life! But, in an unexpected twist, I was totally wrong.

One morning, feeling particularly overwhelmed (thanks to pandemic stress, work, and a streak of "no boyfriend months"), I decided to try a yoga video I’d stumbled upon. Right from the start, something clicked. A few minutes in, following along with a gentle, encouraging instructor, I noticed my body shaking, muscles I’d forgotten about waking up, and even a little sweat. It felt amazing! And that was it—my first pandemic yoga session was in the books.

So, was it hard to start?

Not at all. All it took was a little motivation, a comfy mat, and whatever clothes I happened to be wearing. Honestly, many days, I’ve done my morning yoga right in my pajamas! (Did you know there’s even "bed yoga"? You don’t even need a mat for that one!)

If there’s one piece of advice I’d give to anyone thinking about starting yoga, it’s simply: just start.

Don’t worry about the fancy equipment or knowing all the poses. I didn’t know a thing in the beginning—no fancy mats, no understanding of the “lingo.” It was just me, a YouTube video, and the desire to feel a little better each day.

And with that, something amazing happened. I kept showing up, learning new flows, and, to my surprise, I’m now more flexible than I was back in my teenage ballet days. It feels incredible to move this way, and I even treated myself to a new sweat-free mat because, trust me, you’ll sweat if you dive into dynamic vinyasa flows like I did.

Over time, I’ve started to create a whole experience out of my yoga time—morning candles for that cozy atmosphere, a touch of incense, even joining live Zoom sessions with my favorite teachers. The soothing scents and gentle smoke take me on a mini mental vacation, which we could all use. For those moments, I’m transported, free to explore, yet grounded in a place that feels like home.

So, here’s to you and anyone you care to bring along on this journey.

Put on something comfy, find a video you like, maybe invite a friend, and dive in. Embrace the amazing benefits yoga offers your body, mind, and soul.

It’s all there waiting for you—so don’t wait to give yourself the gift of movement and calm ✨