I’ve been trying to get into yoga lately. I tried so many breathing exercises and what not for my anxiety, but I found I’d get bored and distracted and it wouldn’t help. I thought that doing something whilst focusing my breathing may be the ticket. Which is why I decided to try Yoga. It seemed like the sort of thing that would aid relaxation, and which could be learnt without going to a class and learnt cheaply – no fancy work out clothes or gym memberships or equipment. I didn’t even have an exercise mat and little ambition other than to relax, so I loved the Yoga With Adriene night time video. It was simple and I could do it on my bed before I went to sleep, to ground myself and try to settle my anxiety. I didn’t find it made any major difference to my sleeping, but I still enjoyed having those few minutes of feeling settled. And after hours hunched over revision it felt good to stretch out. Of course there’s only so many times you can do the same thing…

I now have an exercise mat, courtesy of my parents for Christmas, and so I feel like pushing myself now. I’m quick to take things up and drop them so I won’t push myself too much, but I want to try and learn more. I’m going to stick with Yoga With Adriene, as I find her videos easy to understand and I like her…presence? Attitude? That kind of positivity that doesn’t cross over into cheesy or patronising, but makes you feel good. I have also been looking through her beginners’ videos and videos on the various poses which are great for getting to grips with it. I’m thinking of slowly working my way through her various workouts and see what happens. The night time one remains my favourite but I’m also going to try some of the more challenging ones. I may also have a poke around YouTube and amazon to see what else there is. I’m definitely not going to a class: I don’t have that kind of money or confidence.

I want to find something that makes me feel good and helps my anxiety, not just relying on pills you know?

I just hope I don’t break/strain/hurt myself. My body is not used to being stretched in the ways yoga demands…