Breath and the Nervous System: Why Yoga Works

One of the most profound ways yoga supports mental health is through nervous system regulation. This might sound scientific, but it’s actually quite intuitive.

Your nervous system has two main settings: sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest). In our fast-paced world, many of us get stuck in the sympathetic mode, constantly alert, on edge, and exhausted.

Yoga gently invites us into the parasympathetic mode, where healing happens.

Through practices like:

• Deep, slow breathing (pranayama)

• Grounding postures like forward folds and supported child’s pose

• Meditation and mindfulness

• Yoga Nidra (guided rest)

… we start to signal to our bodies and brains that we’re safe. And from that place of safety, emotional healing and resilience begin to grow.

Let’s be real—life has been a lot lately.

Many of us are carrying silent grief, stretched thin by responsibilities, or quietly wrestling with anxiety about the world. And yet, we’re expected to keep going like everything’s fine. Scroll through social media. Smile through meetings. Stay productive. Be okay.

But we’re not just looking for “okay” anymore. We’re craving something deeper—something that can hold the weight of all we’ve been through. We want connection. We want kindness. We want to know we’re not alone.

The Medicine We’re All Searching For

When the world feels overwhelming, it's tempting to numb out, shut down, or lash out. But what if instead, we turned inward? What if we sat down, closed our eyes, and asked for love to fill our hearts and peace to settle in our minds?

This isn’t about bypassing reality or ignoring hard truths. It’s about resourcing ourselves so we can face those truths with grace. The world doesn’t need more reactive energy. It needs grounded, centered, spiritually connected humans who lead with love.

The Earth is not just our home. She is our mother, our partner, our sanctuary, and our mirror. She has sustained us with so much love. Clean air. Fresh water. Nourishing food. Beauty that heals. Shelter. Joy. Life.

April invites growth, just like a seed buried in the soil starts to stretch toward the light. But growth doesn’t always come easy. It requires gentleness, patience, and a willingness to let go of the old.

Using mantra and affirmation this month can help you:

• Shake off the heaviness of winter (literally and metaphorically)

• Reignite your personal intentions

• Connect with your inner strength and resilience

• Invite clarity and renewal

If you watch the news or listen to conversations behind you in line at the store, you’ll hear fear—woven into voices, reflected in word choices, spilling into the topics people are discussing. Fear is being plastered across social media, echoed in podcasts, and aired on YouTube videos. Why? Because fear captures attention. It keeps us on high alert, waiting for the next big shockwave. We are in changing times, and where there is change, there is fear. The two seem to dance the tango together—very dramatic, very intense. (Somebody cue the suspenseful music!)

Can Yoga Help with Weight Loss?

The short answer: Yes—but probably not in the way you think.

If you’re looking for a high-intensity, sweat-dripping, calorie-blasting workout, yoga may not be your first choice. But weight loss isn’t just about burning calories. It’s about balance—physically, mentally, and hormonally. And that’s where yoga works its magic.

Let’s be honest—letting go of control can feel terrifying. We’re wired to want certainty, to plan ahead, and to create predictable results. The idea of surrendering to something unseen can feel risky, especially when we’ve been taught that success comes from constant effort and determination.

Chakras are the body’s energy centers, and when they’re balanced, you feel vibrant, clear-headed, and at peace. When they’re blocked or out of sync, life can feel like an uphill battle. The good news? You can bring them back into balance with simple practices that fit into your daily routine.

For many, St. Patrick’s Day means festive gatherings, lively music, and maybe a pint (or two) of Guinness. There’s nothing wrong with celebrating, but yoga reminds us to do it mindfully and with balance—so we don’t wake up the next morning with a pounding headache, scrolling through our photos, wondering, Did I really dance on the bar last night?

Spring cleansing isn’t about deprivation or harsh detoxes; it’s about gently supporting your body and mind in releasing what’s no longer needed. Through yoga and Ayurveda, we can create balance by embracing practices that are warming, stimulating, and clarifying.

To align with this seasonal shift, Ayurveda encourages practices that promote detoxification, movement, and lightness. This is where yoga plays a crucial role—it helps clear out stagnation, boost circulation, and awaken the body’s natural energy.

If you feel like something is missing in your yoga practice, I encourage you to explore beyond the physical postures. Here are some ways to bring more depth into your yoga journey:

Yoga takes us out of physical, mental, and emotional discomfort and realigns us with the present moment. The breath. The Divine. The light within our hearts. It’s not complicated, this practice of yoga. You just have to show up.

Imagine being so aligned with life’s rhythm that instead of struggling, resisting, or worrying, you simply allow yourself to be carried by the flow. In my opinion, Hafiz suggests that this is exactly what the wisest among us do. They recognize that there’s a divine intelligence at play—call it God, the universe, or simply the deep wisdom of life—and they trust it fully.

I’m sharing this from my heart because I recently experienced an incredible example of people stepping up to help. There was a stray dog in our neighborhood who had been on her own for almost five months. The weather was turning very cold, and I was afraid she wouldn’t make it through the night. She was scared of humans, and no one could get close to her.

Yoga has a beautiful way of bringing warmth and vitality, even on the coldest days. This doesn’t mean you need to roll out your mat for a vigorous flow—though if that’s what your body craves, go for it! Sometimes, the simplest practices can create the most profound shifts.

Self-compassion is a lifelong practice. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about showing up for yourself with love and patience, no matter where you are on your path. Some days will feel easier than others, and that’s okay. Remember, even the smallest acts of self-kindness can have a profound impact on your well-being.

Yoga is often seen as a way to stretch and relax the body, but there’s so much more to it. When we deepen our practice, we discover the immense power yoga has to build both strength and focus.