How Yoga Found Me In The Chaos

There was a time in my life when stress felt like my constant companion. I was juggling a demanding corporate job, a recent breakup left my heart heavy, and I had a to-do list that never seemed to shrink. My days were a blur of emails, meetings, and obligations to everyone but myself. I’d heard people talk about self-care, but it felt like a luxury I couldn’t afford.

Then yoga found me.

A coworker suggested I join her for a class after work. I almost said no—I was exhausted and felt I should stay late to finish another project. But something made me say yes. Maybe it was curiosity. Maybe it was desperation. Whatever it was, I found myself rolling out a mat in a quiet studio later that evening.

That first class was humbling. My body felt tight and unfamiliar, and I spent half the time trying to figure out the poses. But something shifted when we reached savasana, the final resting pose. For the first time in what felt like forever, my mind wasn’t racing. I wasn’t thinking about work, or my ex, or what I hadn’t accomplished that day. I was just... there. Breathing. Existing.

Yoga didn’t magically fix my problems, but it gave me a lifeline—a permission slip to focus on myself. Week by week, as I showed up on my mat, I noticed changes. My body grew stronger, but more importantly, my mind did too. Yoga became my sanctuary, a place where I could pause, reset, and remember that I’m more than my productivity or my pain.

Because yoga was so transformative for me, I encourage anyone creating a self-care routine to include it. It doesn’t matter if you’re a complete beginner or if life feels too chaotic—especially then. Yoga has this way of meeting you where you are, offering just what you need in that moment. Whether it’s a gentle stretch, a grounding breath, or the realization that it’s okay to take up space for yourself, it’s a gift worth exploring.

As a teacher, I see so many people arrive on their mats feeling overwhelmed and disconnected, just like I once was. My hope is that yoga offers them what it gave me: a chance to come home to themselves. Because sometimes, the simple act of showing up—for your practice, for yourself—is the most powerful thing you can do.

Love, 

Maria