Somewhere along the way, the idea of yoga got diluted into flexibility challenges and flashy poses. But the truth is, yoga isn’t about performance. It’s about coming home to yourself.

The ancient texts describe yoga as “stilling the fluctuations of the mind.” But to me, it’s also a sacred science of self-remembrance. A way of pausing long enough to ask, “What do I actually need right now?” and creating space for healing to happen from the inside out.

And when it comes to chronic inflammation, this reconnection is everything.

Stress & Inflammation: What Your Body’s Trying to Tell You

We all know stress can make us sick. But most people don’t realize just how directly it fuels inflammation and cascades into a plethora of 'dis-eases.'

Whether you’re dealing with joint pain, digestive issues, skin flares, irritability, fatigue, or mental fog, chronic stress often plays a major role.

Stress activates the nervous system, raises cortisol, spikes blood sugar, and dysregulates digestion. Over time, it exhausts our body’s ability to bounce back. And what’s left is a state of simmering inflammation, often invisible at first, but deeply felt.

Yoga helps interrupt that cycle, and not just because it relaxes you (tho that is part of it!) But because it gives you tools to rewire how your body responds to life.

Why Yoga Works (When Other Things Don’t)

Most forms of exercise help us feel better in the moment, but yoga takes it a step further.

Well-researched and time-tested, yoga:

• Activates the parasympathetic nervous system (rest + digest)
• Encourages deep, diaphragmatic breathing that regulates the vagus nerve
• Guides the body into a downregulated state, even during a challenge
• Teaches us to observe and not react to our sensations and stressors
• Helps us rebuild a calm, steady baseline over time

In short: yoga not only calms inflammation in the moment, it helps us develop resilience to future stress.

What Makes Yoga Different from Exercise

Here’s the thing: exercise is great. It gets blood flowing, builds strength, and supports detox. But sometimes, when the body is already overwhelmed, more effort can mean more inflammation.

Yoga offers an alternative. It’s not about intensity, it’s about awareness.

A plank in the gym might spike your heart rate and stress response. But that same pose, approached with breath, softness,  presence, and proper core engagement becomes a place of strength and steadiness. That’s what makes it therapeutic.

Yoga teaches us how to move, not just to burn calories, but to listen to the body, respond with care, and restore balance.

It Starts with Listening

Many people ask me how to know what their body needs. The truth is, we’re not always taught how to tune in. We override. We push through. We follow a routine because we “should.”

But yoga invites us to stop.

It helps us identify where we’re holding stress, inflammation, and pain-  whether it’s in our neck, gut, jaw, or our thoughts. Then gently unwinds those patterns through conscious breathing and intentional movements.

It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing differently.

Try These Yoga Tools for Inflammation Relief

When you’re inflamed, irritated, or just off, these practices can help bring you back to center:

• Breathwork: Sheetali (cooling breath), left nostril breathing, and lengthening your exhale all support the nervous system and reduce heat in the body.

• Movement: Forward folds, gentle twists, supported backbends, and slow chair-based flows help move lymph and calm the mind.

• Ritual: Setting aside sacred time to tune in—lighting a candle, choosing a crystal, brewing herbal tea—reminds your body that you’re safe, held, and cared for.

• Watch this Practice: Below, you’ll find a calming joint mobility sequence you can use as a stand-alone practice or warm-up. It’s especially helpful when you’re feeling sluggish, inflamed, or stiff.

Ready to Take It Deeper?

If you're ready to stop pushing and start restoring, here are a few ways to begin:

• Explore Rooted — My self-paced course that helps you reset your nervous system, regulate digestion, and reconnect to your body through the lens of yoga and Ayurveda.
• Book a Private Yoga Therapy Session— If you need individualized support, energy work, or a deeper dive into what your body is holding.

Yoga isn’t just a tool. It’s a remembering. A returning. A recalibration.

And if your body’s been asking for something different lately, this is your invitation to listen.