Savasana (the final resting pose of a yoga class) is my favorite yoga pose. It’s what gets me on my mat every day. I love the physicality of a flowing sequence, a long headstand or an invigorating Kundalini kriya, but my mind and body crave the stillness of savasana most. Although it looks like nap time on the floor, it is a very powerful experience to be still and quiet the mind as the body integrates the benefits of the physical practice.

While working on our tenth annual Yoga Issue, I spoke to the four teachers featured on this month’s cover about their own practice and the local yoga scene. They too seemed deeply connected to the quieter aspects of a serious yoga practice. Although initially drawn to the physical benefits to heal pain, gain flexibility and build strength, they all wanted to talk most about the mental and spiritual growth they have experienced.

Yoga teaches us that we are all connected. When we recognize that everyone is working through their own journey shaped by a unique set of experiences, we can learn to accept our differences instead of judge them. Not only does this help us move more gracefully through divisive times, it boosts our own mood and brightens our outlook
on life.

This issue includes other ways to keep our spirits high such as the self-care strategies in “Emotional Well-Being in the Pandemic Age” and five ways to be more positive in “Happiness Helpers”. If you want to improve your health and your cooking skills, read “Spice Up Health” to learn how to incorporate medicinal herbs into delicious recipes.

And whether you’re an experienced yogi or new to the mat, make sure you explore the annual yoga section. Get to know some of the local studios, learn about the gentle ways of adaptive yoga and hear how four teachers are amplifying diversity in the Gulf Coast yoga community.

When you’re finished reading this month’s content, I encourage you to give yourself permission to be still for 15 minutes. Lie on your back in savasana and feel the weight of your body surrender to the floor beneath you. Do a mental scan from your toes to the top of your head as you try to melt away any tension that remains. Focus on your breath, soften the creases in your forehead and allow your thoughts to float by. Feel the heaviness of your limbs turn weightless and experience the power of stillness. As you gently awaken to your physical space, harness that sense of clarity as you move through the rest of your day, and know that this peaceful place is always just a few breaths away.

Namaste,

Meredith Montgomery, Publisher