When life feels heavy, like everything is coming at us at once, and like everyone seems to be shouting at us or at each other, well that can be a very good time to take a break. Even if it's just five minutes of intentionally following our breath. It's not running away; it's finding peace.

The other day, life was feeling heavy. I practiced some asana, meditated, and went on a bike ride.

Those three things didn't suddenly create peace throughout the world or in our country or even within my own social media feed. But they lightened things up a bit. The movement made my body feel better and the meditation gave my mind a brief vacation from upsetting news from home, inflammatory speeches and posts, and the constant barrage of news reports.

Yoga is not a cure-all. I never claim it is, either. But I do find it to be a supportive practice for many situations because it slows me down. My practice then allows me to check-in with myself, gain a better understanding of what's truly going on, and helps me firm up my values, my sense of self, and my purpose. All those things combined encourages me to move into the next moment and take the next right action.

It feels empowering to let go of the storyline that either others are telling me or that I've been telling myself. There's a real freedom in that.