“Do you want to go to this yoga event with me?”

Imagining a bunch of chanting, hippy cult members organized into a circle and curling into useless poses, I thought, “No, I do not want to go to that yoga event with you.” The stereotypes of yoga made me wonder how sitting around and making awkward poses could ever benefit me.

Unwilling to forego an opportunity to spend time with my friend, I reluctantly attended said yoga event. There I quickly understood all the hype about yoga, simultaneously debunking all the myths I once believed about the “devilish” or “dangerous” practice, both typical stereotypes which Elephant Journal’s website mentions.

Following suit of everyone else, I laid out the old, dusty mat I had found in the depths of my basement, took my shoes off, and pressed my feet into the soft surface. I could feel the rifts in the grass beneath me. Even the simplicity of being barefoot provided me with comfort and a sense of relaxation. The environment felt loose and placid; I gained a sense of freedom. After a bit of stretching and socializing, the instructors began circling around the lawn, modeling the poses they wanted us to follow. As easy as that process may sound, my body had never experienced something quite like it before. Not only did I bend in ways I had never bent, I also had to hold these positions for prolonged periods of time. I felt warm energy surge through my body, but I never really broke a sweat. The day after the practice, my limbs were more sore than I ever remember them being.

The American Osteopathic Association’s website encourages the practice of yoga due to its ample physical benefits. Composed of various breathing exercises and poses, or asana, practices develop “harmony in the mind and body.” By regularly practicing yoga, one can increase flexibility, strengthen muscles, reduce weight and increase respiration. Of course maintaining strong, flexible movements aid in developing these advantages, but breathing also greatly affects the body. Once I started going to yoga on my own, I noticed the emphasis on proper breathing techniques; instructors highlight this to improve energy levels, as The Chopra Center’s website states. Just simple breathing exercises affect the body positively, increasing energy levels while decreasing blood pressure and feelings of anxiety. After just a few weeks of going to yoga, I could move my body easier, and I now incorporate my knowledge of purposeful breathing into my daily life.

In my short time of practicing, I have especially appreciated the mental benefits of yoga. The Harvard Health Publications explains the science behind yoga’s reduction of stress: since yoga causes reduction of the heart rate and stress systems within the body, it helps decrease anxiety and depression. Since I started, I feel more at peace in my mind and body in and out of practice. Yoga pauses my negative thoughts and worries, teaching me how to tune them out at all times of the day. Breathing or assuming basic poses distracts from the stress of life. Savasana, which The Chopra Center’s website deems the “hardest yoga pose,” serves to bring peace to the body at the end of each practice. During this pose, lying on the back, closing the eyes and relaxing the body, the mind is supposed to shut down completely, eliminating pessimistic thoughts. This also helps decrease headaches, depression, insomnia and fatigue. I do find this pose challenging; it is especially difficult to quiet the mind when you know you are supposed to.

As I place my foot on the side of my leg for tree pose or open my palms for a mountain pose, I no longer feel as though yoga is for “cults” or “hippies.” Firsthand experience taught me the true benefits of yoga, relieving stress during my chaotic senior year. This practice could be helpful for many students (and pretty much everybody). It is always beneficial to take time out of the week to focus on your mental and physical health.