These past two weeks were stressful for me. I had projects, speeches and homework almost every night. In the midst of it all, my laptop broke.

At this point, the old me would have had a breakdown and cried myself to sleep or eaten an entire jar of Nutella. Instead, I kept calm and managed to get through it all. I credit that to making yoga a normal routine in my life. 

I never thought about doing yoga until I came to college. This past spring semester I was taking 17 credits and decided to add it on so I wouldn’t go crazy taking CSE and calculus at the same time. I fell in love with the practice and am now taking Yoga 2 through Ohio State.

The benefits of yoga are incredible. Physically, it helps improve flexibility and increase range of motion. Regular practice also helps poor posture and eliminate back pain related to it. A major misconception of yoga is that we sit on a mat all day and just meditate. This isn’t true at all. Yoga is a total body workout that requires body strength, and with regular practice it tones every muscle.   

Yoga improves your mind. It helps decrease depression by increasing GABA levels and it also helps you sleep better at night. I used to have trouble falling asleep, but since doing yoga I fall asleep almost instantly.

The more you practice yoga, the more all the pieces will come together. Yoga is a time to step back and clear your mind from the worries of the world. It’s also a time to work your mind and strengthen it. A research study shows people who do yoga on a regular basis are less prone to being stressed and moody. With regular practice comes self-acceptance as well. Those who have made yoga part of their routine have been found to have better self-esteem and tend to love themselves and their body more. 

Together, all of these things create a healthy lifestyle. Practicing yoga has so many benefits, yet few people have tried it. I encourage anyone who is dealing with stress, or wants to switch up their workout, to try out yoga. The first time may cause a bit of soreness because your body normally doesn’t move that way, but it is worth it. You’ll start to feel better and start thinking more positively.

Yoga lets you take control of your life and your emotions and won’t let stress drag you down. Next time you’re at the gym, be bold and become a yogi.