Yoga may seem a little bit like a hippy dippy practice to an average person but, in reality, it carries such a huge impact on many people’s lives and is something that everyone should attempt to practice every single day.

This form of exercise not only is impactful to the body’s health and stamina, but also those same qualities of the mind.

Yoga instructor of over 20 years Jessie Siren states, “The practice of yoga as an exercise of integrating mind, body, spirit, and heart allows us to really come back home to ourselves and start to live from a place of wholeness.”

Today, countless teens struggle with mental health and feel distant from their own lives even though they’re living them.

Practicing yoga is so much more than elaborate poses on a mat, it’s the grounding and discipline of the mind to the body that one can truly take the benefits from. However, it’s not to be confused that one won’t reap physical benefits from yoga as well.

Siren states, “It helps to integrate and bring balance where there are imbalances.”

Jessie goes on to explain how yoga can help strengthen one’s weaknesses. For example, if one is lacking flexibility but has strength, then yoga will aid in balancing out the two. From the eyes of a student, yoga still presents its benefits through daily practice.

Sophomore Diya Sundar takes the yoga class at Tacoma Highschool and states: “Yoga has helped me manage stress a bit. It gives me time to slow down and relax.”

In the busy life of a teenager, finding time to take a step back and calm the mind without screens, friends, schoolwork, or family getting in the way can be difficult. Yoga is the perfect way to integrate a routine of relaxation into everyday life.

There are so many ways to begin this practice, and one of them is the yoga class offered in THS, but it’s also a great idea to sign up for a class at a local studio, or even something as simple as just following an online flow.