The past two years have seen us all creaking under increased mental pressure, from health worries to financial, work and school anxieties. A study by the University of Manchester last December found that more than 42 per cent of respondents said they were suffering from anxiety or depression, up 11 per cent from the previous year. Combine that with a lack of time and diminished motivation to exercise, and it’s a challenging time for both mind and body.
This is where yoga can make a difference. Even if you’ve never tried it and feel a little intimidated by the practice, you can use basic poses and breathwork to boost your mood and mind, and alleviate anxiety. Yoga teacher and lululemon ambassador Annie Clarke, who’s been practising yoga for 15 years, says that the benefits of regular yoga sessions go beyond improving flexibility and balance. “We know that exercise is good for the body and mind, but yoga is so much more than fitness,” she says. “It’s a holistic practice that not only supports us in feeling good but helps in navigating challenges you face beyond the mat.”
So if you’re thinking of giving yoga a go to reap the benefits of focusing on your breath and body, Annie can help point you in the right direction.
lululemon ambassador Annie Clarke explains how finding a moment each day to breathe and stretch benefits mind and body
The stress-busting power of yoga
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Strike a pose
To see lululemon’s full range of yoga apparel and accessories as well as much more, visit lululemon.co.uk
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Yoga is for everyone. No matter who you are, what your experience with movement and mindfulness is and whatever body you inhabit, there is a yoga practice for you.
More than fitness: Annie Clarke shares the wide-reaching benefits of yoga
What would you say to someone feeling unsure about trying yoga?
Start small. Try not to set goals regarding where you want to get to or what you think you should feel like while practising yoga and meet yourself where you are. It’s easier said than done, but yoga is a practice, and doing a little regularly can have a significant impact on you in many ways, regardless of whether or not you can touch your toes.
What’s the best way to introduce yoga into your life?
The breath is the foundation of the practice. It’s a powerful tool to anchor you to the present moment and regulate the nervous system. Just a few mindful breaths is enough to change how you feel on a cellular level, which is powerful stuff and a great tool to keep in your pocket for helping navigate whatever you’re going through.
How important is breathwork in yoga, and how long does it take until you start feeling the benefits?
Personally, I try to bring my yoga practice into my mornings even before I roll out my mat. Giving myself the space to start slowly – even if it means setting my alarm earlier – helps me start my day better. If you have time for movement, breathwork or a mindful practice of some kind, then even better. Writing down a few thoughts in a journal or taking a short walk before opening your emails is a practice, too. Choosing one thing, such as ten minutes of movement, and being consistent with it will make it feel less like a chore.
What basic practices can help start your day better?
Taking a break helps in so many ways. Physically, it’s good for our bodies to ease out the tension of sitting at a desk all day, and mentally it can help us gain clarity and de-stress. Short breaks can refresh our mental and physical energy so that we show up more fully in whatever it is that we’re doing during the day.
Why is it important to reset our minds and bodies with yoga?
One of the great things about yoga is that you don’t need anything to practise. You can roll out a mat in whatever space you have, or even do breathwork at your desk. I believe in consistency, and in order to build that it’s best to make manageable commitments. If it’s unrealistic to practise an hour a day before work, try ten minutes or go to one class a week. There are so many classes out there and tools to support you in finding space for yoga any place, any time that you don’t have to bite off more than you can chew. Start small, find what works for you and build from there.
How often should you practise, and where?
It’s important to share that you don’t need any fancy clothes to practise yoga, but over the years I’ve noticed that having any comfortable clothes that feel good helps me stay focused on the mat. I’ve found my go-to style of yoga pants that I know won’t fall down or ride up, which means I don’t spend half my practice playing with my clothes. @annieclarke_
How does the right clothing make a difference to how you feel during your session?
Metal Vent Tech Long Sleeve 2.0, £78, Balancer Short 6in £78,
both lululemon
How to do three simple yoga poses
Annie Clarke guides you through
basic poses to help you get started
Child’s pose
“Kneel down with your toes pointed behind you and fold down forward over your thighs, extending your arms along the mat. If your knees are together, you might feel it more in your spine and if your knees are apart it will most likely be more of a hip stretch.
“If your seat doesn’t reach your heels, you can place a cushion or block underneath your seat, and the same for your head and the ground.”
Cat-cow
“This is great for the spine. From all fours, inhale and start to lift your head, broaden across the front of your chest and lift your seat (cow), then exhale and push the ground away with the hands, curving your spine and looking towards your navel (cat).
“You can find a fluid movement breathing in and out and letting the movement follow the pattern of breath.
“A note here that if you’re pregnant you should just focus on the chest and upper back in the cow pose rather than lifting the seat too.”
Downward-facing dog
“From your hands and knees, with your feet around hip width and your hands around shoulder width, tuck your toes but keep your knees bent as you start to push into your hands and lift your hips away from your heels. Focus on lengthening your spine rather than trying to get your heels on the floor. Imagine that you’re lifting the weight out of your hands, but keep the palms connected to the ground. You can lift and lower alternate heels to get a little more stretch through the back of the legs, but keep the hips lifted and the spine long with the head and neck relaxed.”
To find out more, visit
lululemon’s dedicated yoga hub
Annie wears lululemon Align Pant
Align Tank, £45, Align
HR Pant 28in, £88, Perfectly Oversized Crew, £88, Take
Form Yoga Mat 5mm, £108,
all lululemon
