We’ve all heard it’s an ancient practice from India, but now it’s everywhere in all sorts of styles—Ashtanga, Hatha, Iyengar, Vinyasa, you name it. But there are some myths floating around about it too.
A lot of people think you need to be super flexible to do yoga, or that it’s something you can only start when you’re young. Well, that’s not true at all! Yoga is for everyone, no matter your age or flexibility—unless you have certain medical conditions, of course.
In simple terms, yoga is about connecting with yourself—or the universe, if you prefer. It combines physical movement, breathing techniques, and mindfulness to help you feel better, physically and mentally. It’s a way to create balance and harmony between your mind, body, and spirit.
At Zen Wellness Lounge, we’re adding a twist to the usual practice by infusing it with gratitude. As we move through each pose, we’ll pause to appreciate and thank our bodies for what they’re doing. And as we wrap up the session, we’ll end with a couple of minutes of deep breathing and savasana, letting it all sink in.
Yoga is not just about the body, it’s also amazing for your mental health. Studies show that yoga can help reduce stress, anxiety, and even depression. In fact, some research has shown that yoga can boost your mood and make you feel more resilient. And it doesn’t stop there: yoga is great for your brain too. It helps improve focus, memory, and mental clarity, even supporting brain health by promoting neurogenesis (aka the growth of new brain cells) and boosting circulation to areas of the brain that affect memory.
So, if you make yoga a part of your routine, you’re not just getting fitter, you’re also improving your mind and overall well-being. Pretty cool, right?
Stay Blessed Always!
Your Coach,
Viji Narayanan
Ever notice how the moment you tell someone you’re stressed, the first thing they say is, “You need to meditate!”
As if that’s the magic cure for everything.
Well, let’s be real—sometimes even the word meditation can feel stressful. You hear it and think, ugh, I can’t do that! I can’t control my thoughts! My brain is like a wild monkey on steroids!
Guess what? That’s totally normal. And here’s the best part: meditation isn’t all about just controlling your thoughts at all.
You can’t control your thoughts. If someone tells you, they can control theirs then they are lying.
Research shows that the average person thinks about 16000 words per day. You cannot completely control your thoughts during meditation, but you can become aware of them.
Meditation helps you notice your thoughts without getting lost in them, gently bringing your focus to the present moment. This give you more control over your mind by not letting your thoughts take over.
The best thing you can do as a beginner is let your thoughts come and go—like clouds passing in the sky. No need to chase them. No need to fight them. Just let them be.
Forget the whole “sit in one place and empty your mind” thing. That’s just one way to do it—not THE way.
Think of meditation like this: focusing on something so fully that nothing else exists in that moment.
Ever gotten lost in painting?
Singing?
Dancing?
Cooking?
Playing an instrument?
Well, that’s meditation.
Ever engrossed in your work that you did not realize how the time passed by, well, that’s meditation.
Because in those moments, you’re not worrying about your to-do list, your emails, or that awkward thing you said five years ago. You’re just being.
Let’s Start Simple!
If you do want to try sitting quietly, here’s an easy way to ease into it—no pressure, no “clearing your mind,” no frustration.
Let your heart swell with that feeling.
Now, shift your focus to love. Think about the people (or things) that bring you joy:
Feel the love grow in your chest.
Now, say this out loud:
I love myself.
I love myself.
I love myself.
Finally, Thank the universe. Say: Today is going to be the best day of my life.
And then?
Go live like it.
Just take one day at a time. Be in the present day.
This isn’t about forcing your mind into silence. It’s about shifting your focus. The more you fill your head with gratitude and love, the less space there is for stress, anxiety, or overthinking.
Meditation isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present.
So, start your day like this, and watch how everything changes.
Stay Blessed Always!
Your Coach,
Viji Narayanan
