In the United States, approximately 39 million people practice yoga daily. Beyond the physical improvements like flexibility, yoga has also been proven to have great benefits for mental health. Life in Marin is often fast-paced for both students and adults as demonstrated by a March 2024 Bark survey, showing that 68 percent of students experience stress from school at least three times a week. Schoolwork combined with extracurriculars can be major contributors to that stress. Yoga, similar to other exercises, can provide a break from the anxious bustle of life.
According to The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), yoga can have a positive effect on many as it is able to produce a calming and relaxed state of mind, making a person’s body feel more balanced by lessening stress and increasing a feeling of tranquility.
Now Power Yoga in Corte Madera is a popular spot amongst students due to its location. Owner, Susan Hauser, has seen firsthand the impact that yoga has on one’s mental and physical health.
“When you’re teaching and you’re out of your comfort zone, you kind of expand and grow. That’s been great for me to build my confidence. The benefits are all over strength, flexibility and clarity in your mind through the breath,” Hauser said.
Hauser began doing yoga as a way to clear her mind and help her manage anxiety. She used it as a tool to manage the stress of being a single mother after her husband passed in 2003. When she discovered hot yoga she was immediately intrigued as it’s similar to the regular practice of yoga, but with the added challenge of a warm climate in the room.
Hot yoga has been shown to increase flexibility and support cardiovascular health. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is a health and fitness organization that provides resources and guidelines for medical professionals and researchers. According to ACSM, just one session of hot yoga increases the heart rate, produces metabolic responses and elevates core temperature.
Not only did Hauser feel hot yoga made her more relaxed, but she also found the overall practice of yoga stood out to her as a way to get exercise without it feeling like a chore. Despite being active in many sports, Hauser often found it difficult to look forward to and make time for exercising, a problem she doesn’t have with yoga.
“With yoga, I couldn’t wait to get [to the studio]. I couldn’t wait to get in the yoga room and yoga out and sweat. I just love it. It’s an all-around workout,” Hauser said.
Temple Schauble, the Co-owner of Metta Yoga shares a similar story to Hauser. In 2004, Schauble found herself looking for a way to relax and reduce stress after becoming a mother. She wanted to break a sweat, but not something overly straining.
“[Yoga] was really helpful for me, having had my kids to finding my way back to my body and just managing my life with new responsibilities. [It] became a huge part of my own life. I wanted to share that with other people,” Schauble said.
Schauble enjoyed doing yoga often, which led her to become a yoga teacher, eventually opening Metta Yoga alongside Amy Greywitt and Carla Herzenberg in 2020. As a team, they wanted to help others find joy through yoga and demonstrate the impact it can make in people’s everyday lives. Schauble had not only seen improvements in people’s physical health, but their mental health as well. Especially during the pandemic, these improvements were very noticeable.
“A lot of people were feeling pretty down and would say coming to practice [yoga] outdoors or being able to practice from their home or when they’re traveling, really was a life changer for them. That was huge,” Schauble said. “It’s been really nice for us to see people coming together laughing, having a positive experience, getting that sense of support that they need.”
Moreover, yoga has made its way into teens’ everyday lives as a way to bond with peers and take a break from the stress of being a student. Rising sophomore at Georgetown University Danica Blix has been practicing yoga for three years and has noticed a significant improvement in her mental health. As a division one lacrosse player, Blix has also seen her athletic performance improve since starting yoga.
“Mentally I just have a clearer and more open mind when it comes to everything. I’m able to look at the bigger picture more. I’m also able to understand that there’s more to everything than just the current moment. Physically my performance has gone up a lot. I have a higher endurance and because I practice hot yoga, I’m also able to perform better in heat,” Blix said.
Similarly, Redwood junior Angelica Claire began doing yoga during the summer of her freshman year. After falling in love with the practice, she began to see all of the benefits that followed.
“[Doing yoga] helps me wake up early. After [yoga class] I’m always feeling so much better about myself. I have my day ready [and] it sets my good intentions for the day,” Claire said.
People are often drawn to yoga when looking for a way to decompress, but the community aspect is another factor that encourages many people to join. Whether it be students or adults dropping in for a class after work, yoga is a practice open for everyone to enjoy.
Claire remarked on the welcoming atmosphere at Now Power, highlighting that it plays a role in how a session can go.
“Everybody [at the studio] will help you out if you’re new or if you can’t do [a] certain move,” Claire said.
Similar to Claire, Blix also found that a sense of community was important within her classes, noting that having a connection with her peers at yoga can take some of the intimidation away from the practice.
“I find that when I go [to a class] alone, I practice a little bit harder and I feel a little more tired. When I’m with my friends it’s so much fun that the time just passes so much quicker. I think that when you have that sense of community you don’t even realize what you’re doing is difficult,” Blix said.
Schauble also spoke on the positives yoga has brought in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic which left many people feeling isolated.
“We offer a lot of resources here at Metta and I think the community [in Marin] is looking for that. We see ourselves as providing support to people, whether that’s physical, mental or emotional and then just coming together and being in the yoga studio space together. People feel so uplifted by that,” Schauble said.
Yoga can be a way for people to grow beyond their typical comfort zone. Hauser described how she makes sure that everyone feels comfortable in the studio.
“Try something new. It’s not for everyone. Some people come and most people like it once they come in, and I make them feel comfortable. Everyone in the studio including all the teachers makes everyone feel really comfortable. Since yoga [has multiple] levels I can adjust it for beginners. I always ask who’s new, I’m very aware of people’s levels in there,” Hauser said.
Schauble has noticed that many people are intimidated by the idea of starting yoga and are afraid they aren’t flexible enough. This fear is what she tries to avoid in classes, working hard to create a space where everyone feels comfortable and supported.
“You shouldn’t ever feel like you can’t come into yoga, because yoga is for everyone. The other thing I love about yoga is that we’re all on our own mats doing our own thing, so it’s not competitive. It’s not like you’re running a race and you have to beat everybody. You go at your own pace and do your own thing,” Schauble said.
Yoga offers an escape from the busyness of everyday life. As seen by both practitioners and instructors, yoga is not just a physical experience, it is a tool to better one’s mental health. The community within can help people stay connected to others and provide a support system. Whether one is looking to increase flexibility or to meet new people, the many yoga studios in Marin provide a unique experience to find balance and create positive growth in a person’s life.
