The power to change your life is within you.
Help For Those Caught in Chronic Stress
How I Broke Free from Stress and Learned to Channel My Anxiety
The Power to Change Your Life is Within You
I always hated that quote — until recently.
Have you ever felt like life’s weight was pressing you down, leaving you stressed, anxious, or stuck in a never-ending loop of sadness? If you’re nodding, I get it — I’ve been there too.
There was a time when I felt completely overwhelmed like I was treading water but sinking fast. I tried everything: self-help books, quick fixes, and advice from every corner of the internet. But nothing truly worked. Does that sound familiar to you?
It wasn’t until I discovered yoga that everything began to change.
At first, yoga was a lifeline during my most extreme life trauma. But as I continued from day to day through my own recovery, I realized that yoga was so much more — it became a tool to heal my body, my brain and soul.
And that’s what I want to share with you today: the journey from stress, through neural change, to serenity through yoga and how it can change your life too.
Why Stress and Anxiety Feel Inescapable
Stress and anxiety aren’t just mental battles — they impact our bodies in ways we often overlook. Think about it like this: every negative emotion, every bad day, every unresolved conflict is stored not just in your mind but in your body too. Ever noticed how your shoulders tense up during a tough day or how your stomach churns when you’re worried? That’s your body holding onto stress, like a heavy backpack you’ve been carrying for years.
For me, that weight felt unbearable. I’d wake up with a knot in my stomach, and it stayed with me all day. No amount of “think positive” mantras helped. I was trapped in a cycle of overwhelm, unable to find peace.
And as hard as I tried to “fix” it, my body and mind seemed stuck in survival mode.
Many of us try to outthink our stress — reading books, listening to podcasts, and repeating affirmations. While helpful, they only scratch the surface.
The missing piece is addressing where stress truly resides: in our bodies. That’s where yoga comes in.
How Yoga Transforms Mind and Body
When I first started yoga, I had no idea it could help with anything other than stress management. I approached it like a killer workout to burn through my trauma — stretch, breathe, move, and finally feel some calm.
But as I stuck with it, something subtle happened: I began to feel lighter — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too.
I knew my brain was changing. And I became intentional about it.
Here’s how yoga became my secret weapon against stress and anxiety:
1. Releasing Stored Stress
Through yoga, I learned that stress gets trapped in our muscles, joints, and tissues. By moving through poses, or asanas, and pairing them with mindful breathing, I was finally able to release years of tension I didn’t even realize I was holding onto. It felt like unclenching a fist I’d been gripping for decades.
2. Connecting Breath with Mind
The power of intentional breathing is transformative. I began practicing breathwork alongside yoga. By focusing on my breath — slowing it down, making it deliberate — I discovered I could calm my racing thoughts. Breathing deeply created space in my mind for peace to settle in.
3. Building a New Relationship with Stress
Yoga didn’t just help me manage stress — it helped me reframe it. By meditating with Dr Joe Dispenza during or after my practice, I started to view challenges differently. Instead of reacting with panic, I could pause, breathe, and approach situations with more clarity and calm.
Introducing “Intentional Yoga”
During my journey, I created a practice I call “Intentional Yoga.” It’s a way of using yoga not just as exercise but as a tool for healing and growth. Here’s how you can try it:
Step 1: Start with Your Breath
- Dedicate five minutes to simply breathing deeply. Inhale for four counts, hold for four, exhale for four, and repeat.
- Visualize each inhale bringing peace into your body and each exhale releasing tension.
Step 2: Incorporate Gentle Poses
- Begin with simple stretches like child’s pose or cat-cow pose.
- These poses are restorative and allow you to focus on how your body feels rather than perfect form.
Step 3: Set an Intention
- Before your practice, set a simple intention: “May I Be Happy, May I Be Healthy, May I Be Peaceful.” Repeat it silently as you move.
Step 4: Visualize Positive Change
- During each pose, imagine the stress leaving your body. Visualize lightness filling the space where tension once lived.
Step 5: Reflect and Journal
- After your practice, spend five minutes writing down how you feel. Note any changes in your body, mind, or emotions.
The Outcome — A Life Transforming
Practicing yoga intentionally helped me do something I never thought possible: I can feel grateful, accepted, and rewarded just by the thoughts I choose to have.
Here’s what changed for me:
- Increased Resilience: I no longer felt thrown by life’s curveballs. Instead, I knew I could choose my emotions and respond calmly and compassionately.
- Better Emotional Health: The emotional heaviness I carried for years began to lift. I feel lighter, happier, and I have more fun now.
- Physical Relief: My body no longer feels like a bundle of knots. Chronic tension melted away, leaving me feeling more energized.
Best of all, I discovered that the power to change my life was within me all along. Yoga didn’t just help me feel better; it reminded me that I already had the tools to heal — I just needed a guide to help me stay on the path.
Take This Next Step:
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of how to move forward, I want you to know this: you don’t have to stay there — reach for a Guided Loving Kindness Meditation.
The power to transform your life is within you, and you may need a guided yoga class to help you tap into your natural harmony and happiness.
Yoga IS one of the keys to your healing. You are on the right path.
Start small. Set a timer and dedicate just five minutes today to focusing on your breath or trying a simple pose. Notice how it feels. And if you’re already practicing yoga, take it a step further by setting intentions to attend a yoga class in person.
I’d love to hear from you: Have you tried yoga or mindfulness? What’s worked for you? Share your story in the comments below. Let’s support one another on this journey to peace and well-being. Remember, the power to change your life isn’t somewhere out there — it’s inside you. All you have to do is take the first step.
