From Anxiety to Alignment: How yoga transformed my debilitating anxiety and completely changed my life for the better
A Journey of Anxiety and Healing
As a teen, I suffered chronic anxiety and it ruled my entire life. It dictated everything—my relationships, school life, sports, even whether I could simply step outside. I suffered in silence, hiding my internal state with a mask of happiness.
By the time I reached highschool, my panic attacks started. They were frequent and overwhelming, leaving me scared and disconnected from those around me. I didn't know what was happening to me, I had no awareness of my body, and I thought that if I told my parents or friends, they would think I was a freak. Eventually my anxiety turned into a deep depression and by the time I was 18 I was stuck in a cycle of anxiety, depression, despair, and self-harm. I didn't know how to break this cycle and I started to lose hope.
It wasn’t until a medical practitioner recommended yoga to me that everything changed. At first, I was not a believer. I didn't see how streching and lycra could help me when psychologists and medications couldn't. Never the less, I attended a class.
I remember crying in my car afterwards because I had never felt calm like that before. It was an emotional and pivotal moment because I realised it might actually be an effective way to invite more balance into my life.
At the time I had no concept of just how much an impact this tool would have on me. Yoga became my anchor, teaching me to interrupt anxious thought patterns, soothe my mind, and reconnect with my body. It was the first step in a transformational journey that led me to quit smoking, alcohol, medications, toxic relationships and invite more wholesome ways of living. I started a plant-based diet, fell in love with surfing, freediving, skydiving and travelled the world. I exposed myself to wholesome people and uplifting spaces. It was the start of a journey that led me to the live wholesome I have now: raising my babies my the sea.
Anxiety once kept me from all the things I loved and some days I couldn't get out of bed because of it.
I was once afraid to hold a simple conversation with anyone, and now I teach yoga and publicly speak for a living.
I was once not able to breath properly and now I freedive to 30m on one breath of air.
I once told myself stories of why I couldn't, and I recently I birthed my own baby into my arms.
All of this because of the power of breath-led yoga.
Why Yoga Is So Darn Powerful for Mental Well-being
Yoga’s ability to support mental health lies in its profound connection to the breath and the nervous system. The practice calms the body through a deliberate focus on the breath, which helps regulate the autonomic nervous system. Specifically, yoga encourages activation of the parasympathetic nervous system—your “rest and digest” mode—while reducing the dominance of the sympathetic nervous system, responsible for the “fight or flight” response.
The breath is key. Techniques like slow, deep diaphragmatic breathing increase vagal tone, which is directly linked to better emotional regulation and resilience. Studies show that increased vagal tone correlates with reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression (Sullivan et al., 2018).
Beyond its effects on the breath, slow and restorative yoga practices engage the body’s myofascial network. This connective tissue system, sometimes referred to as the body’s “secondary sensory organ,” holds tension, stress, and trauma. Gentle stretches and mindful movements help release these stored emotions, creating a sense of ease and balance (Findley & Shalwala, 2013).
Moreover, yoga’s meditative aspect cultivates mindfulness, which is proven to reduce rumination, improve emotional regulation, and increase self-awareness (Gupta et al., 2016). This mind-body connection is transformative, making yoga not just a tool for managing anxiety but a preventive practice that builds resilience over time.
Regular yoga practice creates a cumulative effect, reprogramming how the mind and body respond to stress. Over time, this holistic approach fosters a state of balance, helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with greater ease and well-being.
Give It A Try
Yoga changed my life. I quite simply wouldn't be here without it. And I know a hundred more stories just like mine. So if you're also thinking "I don't think lycra and stretching can help me", give it a try and you might just find your whole world shift.