Am I the 1000th Person to Tell You Yoga with Adriene Changed My Life?
The year was 2017. I was in my final semester of undergrad, working on two really exciting theatrical projects, and preparing to embark on my journey into post-graduate adulthood and independence.
I also was experiencing my first heartbreak and our nation was hurtling into what was only the beginning of four long years of political tumult and turmoil. Most of my closest friends had graduated the year before me. And even though my opening paragraph may have made it seem otherwise, I was the least busy I’d ever been.
In short, I was pretty depressed.
I tried everything I could not necessarily to make myself happy, but just to achieve a baseline level of functionality until I could get myself to New York and start my real life. Many of the habits I picked up during this time in my life are still integral to my well-being, such as distance running, meditation, and seeing a therapist. The true game-changer, however, was finding the YouTube channel Yoga with Adriene.
For the uninitiated, Yoga with Adriene is the internet home of Adriene Mischler, an Austin, Texas based actress and yoga instructor. Often accompanied by her dog, Benji, Adriene leads yoga flows for all levels, time commitments, and needs. Some of her most popular videos include Yoga for Total Beginners, Total Body Yoga, and Yoga for Bedtime. The hallmark of her channel though, is her annual 30 Days of Yoga series that she leads each January.
In 2017, I jumped right into her most recent 30 Day challenge, called Revolution, albeit a few months late. I’d been practicing yoga on and off since I was about thirteen, and was used to the sweaty, intense, hour-long vinyasa flows at my university’s gym. Adriene’s approach was different. While her practices can get sweaty and intense, she leads with gentleness, ease, and without condescension. You’ll never hear Adriene tell you to push through something, but instead she’ll urge you to “meet your appropriate edge.” She avoids using fatphobic or ableist language in a more nuanced and integrated way than I’ve ever seen from a fitness instructor- for example, instead of saying “press into all ten toes” she’ll say “press into all your toes.” For her audience of millions (literally), she provides as many modifications as necessary, and encourages the audience to do what feels right in their bodies, not copy the shapes she’s making, and, most importantly, to find what feels good.
On an old and ratty yoga mat on my dorm room floor that spring, something inside me completely changed. I was hooked. I’ve never been one of those people who is super comfortable in their body, probably because I’m a woman living in the 21st century, but a home yoga practice has been a complete game changer. Through her videos, I have gained not only strength and flexibility, but an awareness of my body and breath that has permeated through my entire life. Yoga has helped me with my running by strengthening my core, engaging my breath practice, and helping me navigate the difference between discomfort and pain. Mentally, I’m never in a more meditative state than during a yoga practice, and it’s helped me be able to tap into that during stressful situations. The beauty of going through all of this at home is there’s no need to wear expensive yoga clothes (honestly, I usually practice in my pajamas), arrive somewhere on time, or spend any money. It’s just me, my mat, and Adriene.
Since 2017, I have been a regular participant and avid evangelist of Adriene’s videos. After my initial 30 Day Challenge, I looked forward to the new ones she would release each year and began to incorporate practices into my daily schedule whenever possible. In 2020, I practiced with Adriene every single day, and my streak is still going strong. I don’t want to think about what my life would have been like without her soothing presence guiding me through a practice every morning.
If you couldn’t already tell, I will take any opportunity to recommend her to my friends, family, or even the moms I hang out with in the park while the kid I nanny is at soccer practice. I truly think she has something for everyone and that everyone can benefit from doing yoga. Honestly, I think the world would be a better place if more people were doing downward dogs every morning. It really teaches you to look at things from a different perspective.
I know this isn’t exactly in line with with the theme of my blog, but I decided it counts because it’s an experience I’ve been having in the online space and because I think it’s worth sharing with whoever might be reading this. If you think couldn’t care less about yoga, or you’re not flexible enough (no such thing), or you don’t have time, I challenge you to her most recent 30 Day journey- Breath. Who knows? It just might change your life too.