So not only was I a vegetarian for 8 years, but I was a dedicated yogini for most of that time, too. There’s something about eating a plant-based diet that makes a lot of people take an interest in yoga…or maybe it’s vice versa? Yoga began in India and so did vegetarianism, so the connection isn’t terribly unusual.
My new prAna Juniper pants
Anyway, soon after I became a vegetarian as a freshman in college, I began practicing yoga too. I bought a cheap yoga mat from Target — I still remember it, it was light blue with a swirly pattern — and some yoga books from my beloved used bookstore on campus, and I’d practice almost every day. I taught myself the names of the poses and would put together simple flows. It kind of reminded me of the choreography I used to do in my dancing days.
I’m naturally an anxious person (fml) so I found that yoga gave me some relief from my daily tension by encouraging me to focus on the rhythm of my breath. Because of that, my favorite style of yoga is vinyasa. It’s smooth, evenly paced, and deeply meditative.
All the mindful breathing, mindful eating, and…ya know, overall mindfulness transformed me into a HUGE HIPPIE. I wore hemp clothing. I listened to jam bands. But as cringe-y as some of these recollections are, I was happy and was able to get through college without any serious mental health issues and I attribute a lot of that to yoga.
This is the only hippie-era picture I could find. You may notice the meditation mala around my wrist.
After college, I drifted farther and farther away from yoga, and when I started bodybuilding, I also drifted away from my plant-based diet. In retrospect, I think my mental health deteriorated along with my commitment to those two things — and yeah, I know, correlation =/= causation yada yada. But ever since my Big Heavy Depression this winter, I’ve been making a serious effort to reincorporate into my life things that bring me joy, and yoga & a mostly veg diet are two of them.
My gym membership includes fitness classes, so I decided to try out the yoga class that’s offered on Friday mornings. At the beginning of the class, I set my intention: “let go of anxiety”. And that’s exactly what I did. I’ve been going every Friday since then, and I feel amazing.
Right around the same time I went back to yoga, I had the opportunity to try pieces from the prAna spring collection! If you know yoga, you know prAna. I chose the Mika top and the Juniper pant and received them free in exchange for an honest review.
prAna Mika top
The Mika top is a burnout patterned tank with a built-in bra and criss-cross straps that show off my back. I haven’t worn it to yoga yet, but I did wear it for a recent back workout and loved how light and airy it felt! I wear the XS. Get it here.
prAna Juniper pants
The Juniper pants are made from a hemp/cotton/spandex blend and I’ve been wearing them almost every night as pajamas because they’re soooo soft. I’m wearing the XS in these too. Get them here.
Wanna get in on these prAna spring pieces? Use my discount code S4P17EMM for 15% off your purchase through March 28, 2017! As Chaz from YogAmazing always says: take the peace and the strength and SHARE it. 🙂
Yoga really has the power to change a person! I am feeling positive effects of yoga all the time!
Love that Mika top on you – looks so cute!
Amazing work! I tried Yoga back in college and it is tougher than it looks. You really need to work on flexibility and stretching to succeed. It wasn’t for me but now that I am older I am willing to try it again to relax.
Yoga is so beneficial to your body and your mind. Thanks for sharing your story!
Your top looks very comfortable. You do really awesome work!
I began pilates and it changed my life as well. It’s amazing what a few stretches and relaxing can do for your body and mind.
You are so inspriring. I have been thinking about trying yoga!
Wow, your body is so toned and fit. Such an inspiration, will be trying yoga soon…est!
I need to try yoga, heard so many great, positive things! Plus it relaxes and this is something I need!
Yoga is so good for peace of mind and for your health. I used to do yoga, but I need to start doing it again, and I love your top and yoga pants!
I would love to try yoga again sometime. I did it a long time ago and it was a really bad experience, but I would definitely be willing to give it a try again.
Hopefully you can find a different yoga class that works for you!
I have anxiety and depression and you’ve inspired me to try yoga to help me let it go. Yoga is always so slow for me – I don’t really enjoy it as much as other workouts. But I guess if I look at it as mental therapy, it is OK to be slow!
Absolutely – think of it as a break from the daily grind and time to yourself!
I was just telling my hubby we need to start doing Yoga it will help us in so many ways, this post is inspiring and I do love looking nice too, Prana is fabulous! You go girl get your healthy on!
I haven’t done yoga in a really long time. I think its so refreshing and relaxing though and does wonders not only for my body but also mood!
My friend tells me a lot how she loves yoga. I think I might try it soon! 😀 Thanks for sharing your story!
I have heard so many good things about yoga.
I have tried it a few times with some success against my migraines.
You look great and powerful.
I think yoga is one of the best exercises there is. I love that it allows you to calm down and just get rid of stress entirely. It’s definitely life changing.
I have tried yoga only once before, although I am aware of the benefits it provides for overall health, I just thought it would not work for me. I am not flexible enough and could not get into the poses. I am happy though that you found peace in practicing yoga. You are in good shape!
I have been wanting to try yoga again. It has been years since I tried. I have anxiety and would love to find something that helps.
I really need to try yoga again. I tried once and it was very difficult for me.
I tried yoga once and it hurt so bad so I never went back. I think I really need to go back. I would love to wear that workout/yoga outfit too, love it
I need to try yoga, I always hear such great things about it!
I always hear amazing things about yoga. It’s so great that it helps you so much with your mental health!
I’m so glad to hear that you’re getting back into something that helps keep you healthy both physically and mentally. When we find something that works, it’s always awesome.
I love yoga. It’s one of those workout methods that leaves me feeling at peace. And it is SO much more of a workout than people realize.
I want to try yoga. I think it is something I would really like. One of these days I am just going to do it.