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Each week, the editors at Yoga Journal compile moments—sometimes mind-bending, sometimes simple—that remind us yoga is, in fact, everywhere.
COPE
Many corporations basically shout from the rooftops about wellness perks designed to enhance employee satisfaction. “Free yoga classes on Thursdays! Lifetime access to meditation apps! Office ball pits!” Yet a prevailing sentiment among employees seems to be, “Maybe just pay us more?”
And now there’s support for that sentiment. A recent study suggests these perks aren’t actually improving anyone’s well-being or retention levels. (We’re guessing because no one could actually slip away to take yoga.) What would help? According to the study, volunteering or charity work increased positivity in full-time workers. And, as this article by Salon.com suggests, more paid time off and four-day workweeks probably wouldn’t be a bad thing.
OVERHEARD
“Yoga teachers are like cats. They just come into your life when you need them.”
MEDITATE
People meditate for all sorts of reasons. In “This Week’s Sex Diary” on The Cut, we hear about “the divorced guy too tired for sex” who finds himself unable to sleep in between encounters arranged through five different dating apps. So he muses to himself, “Maybe I need to start meditating?” No judgment here. And yeah, meditation helps with pretty much everything.
STRETCH
Chances are you’ve heard a yoga teacher cue you to take prayer hands and press your palms together or ask you to come into Cat-Cow and angle your fingers outward toward the long side of your mat. Felt pretty good on the forearms and wrists, didn’t it? Although you probably forgot about it the moment class takes you into the next pose. And that’s a mistake.
It’s been estimated that 25 percent of American those who are active in athletics or use their hands for work end up with some amount of wrist strain and pain. Even the simplest of strengthening and stretching exercises, including prayer hands, can make a difference when practiced consistently. For more easy stretches, check out our article.
STRENGTHEN
In an article published earlier this week in The Guardian, a writer reflects on her hypermobility and explores whether it’s a blessing or curse. “For most of my life, I have believed this to be a good thing: I often feel smug in yoga classes.”
As the writer found through personal experience as well as research, that same hypermobility can lead to joint pain in later years. Yet certain low-impact, strength-building forms of exercise—including yoga, swimming, and Pilates—can help support “bendy” body parts, according to research. Although not all yoga teachers are trained to help students with hypermobility, you can learn more about its subtleties in Yoga for Bendy People, a comprehensive resource written by Libby Hinsley.
LEARN
When a student walked into Red Sun Yoga in Winter Springs, Florida, not long ago and inquired about classes, she had difficulty communicating with the non-Spanish-speaking studio owner. So the studio owner requested the help of one of her teachers, Luz Paez, who could explain the class offerings in Spanish.
A few weeks later, Paez noticed that the student had signed up for a gentle hatha class. Paez took it upon herself to attend class with her. “I told the woman that I’d be there in the background, and if you get stuck, just let me know,” says Paez. She ended up quietly translating the entire class, word for word. She also modified poses as needed so the student could practice safely. “She told me that she’d been in a car accident and had some spinal issues,” explains Paez. “I didn’t want her to get hurt.”
Paez recently celebrated her one-year teaching anniversary. In her short time teaching, she clearly understands yoga.—Lisa A. Beach
LAUGH
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