As an avid runner, I was conditioned to see my body as a machine.

I was taught to continuously push its limits in workouts to build stamina, endurance, and strength, as a means of getting better and tapping into my potential. I always sought high-intensity effort activities, lofty and challenging goals, and competition that would make me work for it. I wanted to be my best and thought this was the only way to pursue my physical potential.

I was committed to the grind and took pride in my strong work ethic and discipline.

However, when an injury halted my post-collegiate running career, I was lost.

With my outlet revoked, I struggled to find a way to challenge myself physically and mentally, like I did while running. It was suggested to me that I try yoga to strengthen the supportive muscles around my healing hamstring.

I was skeptical, at first. From afar, yoga seemed like people sitting, stretching, and chanting. It didn’t look like something for me, and I thought it looked “easy” and wasn’t a workout of any kind.

But, then I began a consistent yoga practice. In the beginning, my mind would wander all through class and I was constantly comparing myself to everyone around me. I didn’t know if it was helping, but I kept showing up, unrolling my mat, and moving through the sequenced poses.

Gradually, I embraced yoga. A flip had switched, and I found my body and mind being challenged in ways I hadn’t been challenged before. I started feeling stronger and more confident on my mat.

I began to learn to balance effort with ease, and found peace and calm being me.