Coping with change? Try yoga.

How anyone has survived this last year without yoga is beyond me. We all have our coping mechanisms and deal with transition in our own way. With the right tools by your side, you can handle anything life has in store.

But it’s only natural that many of us cling to what we have always known to be normal. In such a tumultuous and challenging year, security blankets of the familiar were nowhere to be found. For me, yoga has always been my go-to when I know that I’m not in control and life is seemingly spinning out of control.

Just stepping on the yoga mat can be like stepping home. It’s a place of self-discovery, intimacy, and comfort. Even if, sometimes, your mat is just a safe place to cry.



With that in mind, here are two of my favorite go-tos to come into the present moment and have some fun:

Trying to kick up into an inversion. Sounds crazy, I know. But, just bring yourself to a wall and come to a downward-facing dog (we all know what that is whether we are a yogi or not) with your fingers about five inches away from the wall. Then, lift one leg into the air and swing it several times. See if you can push off the other foot and have a moment of both feet off the ground. If inversions are new to you, ask a friend or family member to spot you. Who knows, maybe one day you will find yourself standing on your hands with your feet supported by the wall! Believe me when I tell you that you will feel very present and alive.

Pause, feel your feet, and notice what is in front of you. Ask yourself: what am I seeing, feeling, tasting, touching, and smelling? This will also keep the mind from whirling about the past or the future. Now, notice that you are breathing. Watch five cycles of breath all while feeling your feet. The beauty of this is that you can do it anytime and anyplace. It is fast, simple and effective.

Know that even in turbulent times, you can still enjoy peace and stillness. Take a deep breath, feel your feet under you, and face the unexpected head-on.