Lately, I’ve been geeking out over my new Oura Ring. If you haven’t heard of it, the Oura Ring is a smart ring that tracks everything from sleep and activity levels to heart rate variability and—most fascinatingly—stress levels. It gives me a real-time look at how my body responds to daily life, and as a yoga teacher, this has been a game-changer in understanding the power of our practice.

Like most humans, I experience stress throughout the day. And let’s be real—raising teenagers can crank that stress level up even higher. But here’s what I’ve noticed: every time I practice yoga, my Oura Ring shows my body shifting into a "Relaxed and Restored" state. This is what a healthy nervous system should do—move fluidly between activation and recovery. Unfortunately, in our go-go-go culture, many of us get stuck in high-alert mode, leading to burnout, fatigue, and chronic stress-related issues.

This is just one of the benefits of yoga that isn’t always obvious. We often think of yoga as a way to gain flexibility (which it absolutely does), but there’s so much more happening beneath the surface. A regular yoga practice enhances strength, stability in our joints, resilience, and even speeds up healing. It increases our range of motion, improves circulation, and helps us cultivate a deeper mind-body connection. And these are just a few of the countless benefits that unfold when we commit to our mats.

Yoga isn’t just about touching your toes or getting a great workout—it’s about recalibrating your nervous system, building physical and mental resilience, and creating space for your body to recover from the demands of life.

So if you’re on the fence about committing to a regular practice, consider this your nudge. Your body, your mind, and even your stress levels will thank you.

I don’t know what you’re waiting for—let’s go!