Yin YOGA

detachment: My Journey with Yoga for Stress and Anxiety

By Tatenda Nzingha Mazowe

Have you ever felt like stress and anxiety were chasing you like a debt collector who just won't quit? Yeah, me too. As someone who's often juggling a million responsibilities from work, family, school, and everything in between, I used to think that stress was just part of the deal. After all, we’ve all heard it before, “Adulting isn’t easy.” But here’s the truth I discovered: stress doesn’t have to own you. Through my journey with Yoga—particularly Kemetic Yoga—I began to experience something transformative: detachment. And no, I’m not talking about floating off into some New Age cosmic cloud of serenity. This was about reclaiming my center, rooted in an African spiritual tradition, and learning to release what no longer serves me. Let me tell you, it wasn’t always a solemn spiritual journey. There were moments of pure hilarity (yes, yoga can be funny). But it was real, it was grounding, and most importantly, it taught me that I don’t have to let the chaos of life dictate my peace. Detachment became my superpower, and I’ll never look at stress the same way again.

The First Stretch: Where I Thought I’d Break in Half

Let me start by saying that I’m not your typical yogi. In fact, the first time I tried yoga, I was a hot mess. Picture this: me, in a class full of seasoned yogis, trying to look calm while my legs were trembling, and my mind was racing through my to-do list (Can I really finish my project by Friday? What if I forget to call my mom?). The instructor mentioned something about “The Pose of Immortality,” and my immediate thought was, “Forget immortality, how about just surviving this class?” My first Kemetic Yoga class was like trying to squeeze into a pair of skinny jeans that were two sizes too small. It's awkward and mildly embarrassing. But hey, progress comes in small victories, right?

The Magic: Why It Works for Stress and Anxiety

Let’s get real – stress and anxiety are like that annoying cousin who shows up uninvited at every family gathering. They linger, make everything uncomfortable, and leave you feeling drained. Yoga, for me, was like finding a way to kindly escort that cousin out without making a scene.