Finding Balance On (and Off) the Mat

I spend most of my workdays at a desk, staring at a screen. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job. But by mid-afternoon, my shoulders are tight, my hips feel glued in place, and my mind is ready to bolt in a hundred directions at once.

That’s when yoga becomes more than “exercise” for me; it becomes my reset button.

Yoga is often described as union - the joining together of different parts to make a whole. On the mat, that might mean linking your breath with your movement. But it also means bringing opposites into balance: the sun and the moon, right and left sides of the body, effort and ease, strength and flexibility.

Think about Tree Pose, where you balance on one leg. Your standing leg works hard to keep you stable, while your lifted leg opens and relaxes into the pose. Or Lizard Pose, which asks for deep hip opening but also reminds you to keep breathing and not force your way into the stretch. That’s the dance of effort and ease.

And the truth is, that same balance is something we need in our everyday lives. Too much “effort” (hello, 10-hour desk days) without “ease” leads to burnout and stiffness, both physically and mentally. Too much “ease” without effort, and we lose strength, mobility, and energy.

For me, the sweet spot is a regular home yoga practice. Nothing complicated, nothing that requires a perfectly staged studio space or an hour carved out of my already packed day. Just 15–30 minutes on the mat, consistently.

And here’s the best part: you don’t have to be “good” at yoga. You don’t have to be flexible. You don’t have to know the names of the poses. You just have to show up and move your body. Yoga really is for everyone - every age, every body type, every fitness level.

When I practice regularly, I notice a huge difference:

• My hips aren’t as tight from sitting.

• My lower back pain is practically non-existent.

• I have more energy to finish the day strong.

• And my mind feels calmer and more focused.

It’s not magic; it’s just giving my body and brain the movement, breath, and attention they need to function well.

If you’ve been thinking about starting a home yoga practice but feel overwhelmed, here’s my advice: keep it simple. Roll out your mat (or find a soft patch of carpet), press play on a video, and commit to just 15 minutes. Once you feel the difference, it won’t be hard to come back for more.

My recommended video focuses on two poses: Tree and Lizard - both challenge and restore in equal measure. You’ll build strength and stability in your core and hips, while also opening up areas that tend to get tight from sitting. And yes, you’ll get both effort and ease.

Your body will thank you. Your mind will thank you. And before long, you might just find that the balance you’re creating on the mat starts spilling into other parts of your life too.

So, take a break from the desk, grab your mat, and join me for this short, balanced practice. You’ll feel better in 30 minutes than you did all day.

🎥 Watch the video here →