Yoga is Healing: Simple Practice to Support Your Journey
I remember my teacher Ali chanting this at the front of the class one day. "Yoga is healing!" she declared, her voice carrying both wisdom and experience. She wasn’t just repeating a phrase; she was speaking from her own journey, one that involved physical struggles and the profound way yoga had helped her recover.
At the time, yoga was under attack. A book had come out questioning whether yoga could actually harm us. It’s true—when practiced carelessly, without mindfulness, breath, or proper alignment, yoga can lead to injury. But that’s not the heart of yoga. Yoga, at its core, is a practice of healing—mind, body, and spirit.
I find myself repeating Ali’s words constantly, almost like a mantra: Yoga is healing. It reminds me to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the beauty of the present moment. It has become a supportive affirmation, guiding me to stop, drop, and meditate. Move my body. Breathe deeply. Focus on what is good.
Healing Through Yoga
When traumatic things happen—whether it’s an accident, heartbreak, illness, or loss—we need tools to support us. Therapists, doctors, licensed coaches, and other healing professionals are invaluable. But yoga is unique in that we don’t need an appointment. We don’t need to wait. We don’t even need a yoga mat. Yoga is always available, anytime, anywhere.
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.
Simple Ways to Use Yoga for Healing
1. Grounding Yourself in the Present Moment
When you're overwhelmed, sit down. Feel what you're sitting on. Notice the texture beneath you. Actually say what it is out loud. "Cushion." "Hardwood floor." "Soft carpet." This simple act brings you into the present moment, reminding you that, right now, you are safe.
Take a moment to close your eyes and take three deep breaths. Feel the sensation of the air moving in and out of your nostrils. Notice the temperature of the room around you. This small moment of awareness reconnects you with the present, rather than dwelling on past pain or future worries.
2. Choose One Pose and Stay in It
Roll out your mat (or don't—just use the floor) and choose one pose to hold for five minutes. Here are some great options:
Child’s Pose – A deep surrender, allowing your back to soften and breath to deepen.
Supported Bridge – Opens the chest and heart, encouraging circulation and relaxation.
Mountain Pose (Tadasana) – Simply standing tall, feeling your feet root into the earth, steady and strong.
As you settle into the pose, pay attention to the physical sensations in your body. Where are you holding tension? Can you soften that area with each exhale? Holding a pose for an extended period lets your body naturally unwind, offering you a deep sense of release and healing.
3. Use the Power of Chanting
Words carry energy. Choose a mantra that supports you, and say it out loud or silently. Some examples:
"I am okay."
"Each day, I grow stronger."
"I am safe."
"Breathe."
Chanting doesn’t have to be complicated or formal. It’s simply about anchoring yourself in words that soothe and uplift you. If you prefer, you can listen to a recording of a mantra or soft chanting music while you practice yoga or meditate.
4. Cry, Let the Tears Flow
Tears are a natural and powerful part of the healing process. Allow yourself to cry when emotions arise. Don’t suppress it. Let the tears flow freely, knowing that they are not a sign of weakness but a sign of healing. Crying releases stored emotions, clears the heart, and makes space for peace to settle in. Trust that your body knows when to let go.
There is something deeply therapeutic about crying in a restorative yoga pose, like a forward fold or reclined butterfly. The openness of these postures allows the emotions to surface naturally. If you feel resistance to crying, remind yourself that tears are cleansing. They help you release what no longer serves you.
5. Connect with Breathwork (Pranayama)
Breathing is one of the most direct ways to activate healing. When we experience trauma or stress, our breathing becomes shallow and restricted. By consciously deepening the breath, we signal to the nervous system that we are safe.
Try this simple breath practice:
Inhale deeply for four counts.
Hold for four counts.
Exhale slowly for six counts.
Repeat for at least two minutes.
This type of breathing calms the mind, reduces anxiety, and brings a sense of balance back into the body. You can practice it anytime—while sitting in traffic, lying in bed, or even walking outside.
The Journey Back to Wholeness
Healing isn’t linear. It doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process of showing up for yourself, over and over again. Some days, yoga will feel like magic. Other days, it will feel hard. But every time you practice—even if it’s just sitting and breathing—you are choosing healing. You are choosing yourself.
It’s important to give yourself grace in this journey. Some days, you might feel like you’ve made progress, and the next day, old wounds may resurface. That’s normal. Healing is not about erasing the past; it’s about learning to hold it with compassion while moving forward.
Yoga teaches us that we are not broken. No matter what has happened to us, healing is possible. The body can heal. The heart can heal. The spirit can heal. And yoga is here, always, to guide us back to wholeness.
Beyond the physical postures, yoga also offers philosophical wisdom that can support healing. The practice of Ahimsa (non-violence) reminds us to be gentle with ourselves. Svadhyaya (self-study) encourages us to reflect on our inner world with curiosity rather than judgment. Ishvarapranidhana (surrender) teaches us to trust in the process, even when we can’t see the full picture yet.
A Final Invitation
If you’re reading this and you’re struggling, know that you are not alone. Healing is a journey, and it doesn’t have to be done all at once. Start small. Sit down. Breathe. Move your body. Cry if you need to. Let the tears be part of your growth. Trust that each step, no matter how tiny, is leading you toward peace.
So take a deep breath. Feel your feet on the ground. Let the words Yoga is healing settle into your bones. Because they are true. And because you deserve to heal.