In a world overwhelmed with chaos and anxiety, it’s hard to find peace and serenity. Between balancing school, sports, extracurricular activities, jobs, and even community service, teens have a vast amount of weight on their shoulders. Luckily for Milford students, they have the ability to release their stress and strengthen both their body and mind through the practice of yoga.

Yoga, by definition, is a Hindu philosophy that teaches a person to experience inner peace by controlling the body and mind; however, it’s much more than that. The practice of yoga is truly about becoming aware of who you are while learning how to unite your body and mind through breathing exercises and various stretches.

A Huffington post article revealed that over 90 percent of yoga participants came to yoga for flexibility, stress relief, and physical fitness. Although everyone starts doing yoga for a different reason, the reason they continue on is almost the same: yoga students do it for a sense of self-fulfillment.

Yoga isn’t exclusive for one type of person, it can be done by just about everyone. Participating in yoga does wonders for your brain; it helps focus on slow, controlled breathing which leads to a relaxed mind filled with positive thoughts.

Yoga to Katy Trame, junior at Milford High School, was like a light switch going off in her mind. “It was like an epiphany,” explained Trame. “After the first time, I did it I thought to myself: what have I been missing out on?”

Trame fell in love with practicing yoga as she began working at In Harmony Yoga, located in downtown Milford. As she continued to pursue yoga, she felt an immediate change in her body and mind; she felt more relaxed and had a better outlook on life. “Yoga’s the best for people hurting,” revealed Trame. “Whether it’s mentally or physically it helps those hurting.” Whatever ails your body or mind can be alleviated with the power of yoga.

Not only is yoga a relaxing exercise to teach proper breathing to relieve stress, it’s also good for the body. In a Gaiam article, it is clear that yoga helps build muscle, endurance, strength, and flexibility. Since yoga poses are typically held for 5 deep breaths, muscles are challenged and built up over time.  

Yoga is even implemented into Milford sports; the varsity girl’s swim team uses yoga after workouts to stretch out their muscles. Before swim meets on Wednesdays, team members practice yoga to get their body’s warmed up.

“At first we didn’t really see the point in doing it before meets,” said senior Audrey Painter. “But focusing on stretching and breathing helps us get our heads in the game while being valuable for our bodies.”

With a local yoga studio being located in Milford, the opportunity for students to clear their minds while getting a good exercise is a feasible option. At In Harmony Yoga, classes are available for all souls to attend; there’s even a designated class just for teens to participate in every Monday from 4-5 p.m.

So take the opportunity to venture into a studio and find peace within yourself. Grab a mat, stretch a little, free your mind. Do yoga.