On October 12, 2019 Adriene Mishler, who's famous for her “Yoga With Adriene” YouTube channel, launched an at home yoga practice called “Yoga For Writers”. I've been a huge Yoga With Adriene fan for years and since she brightened up my day by making a yoga video for writers, I'd like to take this opportunity to tell you about the positive influence that Adriene has had on my life the past couple of years.
Before I continue about Adriene, I need to tell you a little about how yoga came into my life. When I still lived in Groningen, the Netherlands, my favorite workout spot was Studio Yorah, where I did a WOD (workout of the day) a couple of times a week. Not only did Yorah teach me how to become stronger physically and mentally, she also taught me all the basics of yoga and the philosophy behind it in her yoga classes. Yorah is trained by Sri Vijay Gopala, the founder of Yoga Gita, whose yoga school offers teacher training courses in India and Europe. I always get a big smile on my face when I think back on the relaxing ambiance of the dark and cold winter yoga nights. Every now and then I would get all giggly at moments when we were supposed to be calm and quiet. We would practice while the fireplace was on and I always felt so relaxed after class, ready to get the best sleep ever.
At a certain point in my life I went through therapy and during that rough period I developed anxiety to get out of the house. I experienced panic attacks and going to the supermarket or even a walk around the block was too much at one point. Even Yorah's soothing yoga classes were something that became a step too far for my brain to handle because I had to get out of the house for that. You can imagine that not having any physical exercise is not healthy at all and at one point I started to get pains and aches. I needed to do something to get out of my brain and into my body, but since "outside" was a problem for me I had to figure out something else. I remembered that during one of my PT sessions Yorah told me about this American lady called Adriene who has free yoga videos on her YouTube channel. And that's how Adriene became one of the main characters in my darkest and loneliest days.
Adriene is a kind-hearted down-to-earth lady from Austin, Texas, who hosts yoga videos while most of the time her dog slash co-star Benji is chilling in the background. I love to start off my day with a yoga session with Adriene and my Jack Russell Dinky by my side. The great thing about her videos is that there's a video for every mood, every pain and every wish! Just type in Yoga With Adriene in the search bar, followed by whatever word comes to mind like back pain, tired, sore muscles, energy, positivity, flow, you name it and you'll find a video that's perfect for that moment. Adriene also offers several 30 day yoga challenges by the way, ideal for when you are looking for a yoga schedule that you can follow.
If case you don't know where to start, I'd like to help you out with a top 10 of my favorite videos:
Adriene makes you feel like you've known her for years, which is crazy because obviously we've never met. I love her silly sense of humor and her rich imagination. For example when she starts singing the lyrics of "I'll make love to you" from Boyz II Men during a practice after she says "Close your eyes". Or in another video she says that the best part of the move that she calls "knocking on heavens door" (which is basically swinging your arms behind you from left to right) is to give yourself a little slap on the butt. The things you feel silly about, she speaks out and makes it human again. Adriene will tell you not to push it or overstretch it and to take it how it is. Find What Feels Good. She reminds you all the time that yoga is not just for the extremely patient and limber people.
I recently moved to Los Angeles and I'm happy that I am able to continue my yoga routine. It brings so much awareness, not only to the way I'm breathing and moving around but also to my thinking. I can really say yoga has been a life-changer for me. There are no more excuses left because this is FREE and there's no travel time since you can do it the comfort of your own home (and no one will hear you fart when you rock front to back on the floor!!). I'd like to finish with a huge shout out to you, Adriene! I can't thank you enough for doing what you do and I don't even know where to start when trying to explain how immense the impact was that you had on my recovery. Thank you. Gracias. Dankjewel!!
So with that being said... Hop into something comfy and let's get started! :-)