Release, relax, & say goodbye to stress with this gentle, refreshing, & rejuvenating yoga class…
If you’re reading this, take a slow breath in…
You made it here for a reason.
Today I’m sharing a beautiful, grounding practice from Adriene that speaks directly to those moments when stress feels like it’s living in your body — when your thoughts are racing, your shoulders are tight, and rest feels just out of reach…
When Cortisol Stays Switched On
Cortisol is your body’s primary stress hormone. It’s not the enemy. In fact, it’s essential. It helps you wake up in the morning and respond to challenges throughout the day.
But when stress becomes chronic — deadlines, caregiving, overstimulation, emotional strain — cortisol can remain elevated longer than it should.
You might notice:
Anxiety or a low hum of unease
Racing or intrusive thoughts
Fatigue paired with “wired” energy
Burnout
Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Over time, this state of constant alert can leave the nervous system feeling unsafe and overstretched.
That’s where yoga becomes more than movement. It becomes medicine.
A Practice to Regulate & Restore
This class is a gentle invitation to pause.
Through slow breathwork, mindful transitions, and soothing postures, this practice supports:
Nervous system regulation
A shift from fight-or-flight into rest-and-digest
Reconnection to a felt sense of safety in the body
Softening mental tension
There is no rush. No performance. No expectation to “achieve” anything.
Just breath.
Just sensation.
Just presence.
It’s a reminder that balance isn’t something we force — it’s something we cultivate!
The Power of Safety in the Body
One of the most profound aspects of this class is its emphasis on internal safety.
When cortisol is high, the body often feels braced — jaw clenched, belly tight, breath shallow. Gentle yoga practices like this one send subtle signals to the brain:
You are safe.
You can soften.
You can let go.
Each slow exhale becomes a message to your nervous system that the emergency has passed.
And sometimes, that’s all the body has been waiting for.
Showing Up Is the Practice
“You did it, you are here.”
That line alone feels like a warm hand on the shoulder.
So often we wait until we feel “better” to practice. But yoga meets us exactly in the messy middle — in the anxiety, the exhaustion, the overwhelm.
If your heart, body, or mind has been tugging at you lately, consider this your nudge to listen.
Roll out your mat.
Dim the lights.
Let this practice hold you for a while.
And know this: I am proud of you for showing up exactly as you are!
Want more like this? Browse our archives for more yoga for stress relief!
