That's a Bit of a Stretch

How starting Yoga has benefitted Sok Yin physically & mentally, how she remains motivated to practise.

Story & Pictures by: Charmaine Seow

Singaporeans have a problem: the inability to destress. 

Notoriously known as one of the most “fast-paced” societies in the world, various sources of statistics say that we are the third most sleep deprived country and have one of the longest work weeks at 45.1 hours. 

Our pace of life shows no sign of slowing down. So what can Singaporeans do to find tranquillity in this metropolis? 

Sok Yin, 47, is one individual who’s found some form of tranquillity. She attended her first yoga class in 2016 and immediately fell in love with the low-impact exercise. A mere year later, she underwent an intensive two-month course and obtained a yoga instructor certificate. 

Yoga, in Sanskrit, means union of the mind and the physical body. Experts say practising yoga has numerous psychological and physical benefits, ranging from decreasing stress to improving cardiac health. 

“Being on the yoga mat helps me find time to focus on myself - it’s my space and my time,” says Sok. “Whenever I step onto the mat, I know I am safe within the mat to slow down my thoughts, explore every posture and every muscle in my body.” 

As for its physical benefits, she finds that yoga builds strength, balance and flexibility. “I found out that I have an arched lower back, which adds pressure to my hip and causes pain, and I learnt how to release that tension through yoga.” 

There are many different forms of yoga, but according to Sok, beginners are typically advised to start with Hatha yoga.

Throughout her many years of practice, her favourite pose from Hatha remains Tadasana, or “mountain pose”. In this pose, yogis interlock their fingers and raise their arms upwards, before raising their heels and standing on their toes. 

“Tadasana helps ground me when my mind starts to race, or when my ego gets worked up during practice,” explains Sok. 

She also recommends basic poses like Downward Facing Dog, to lengthen the spine and stretch back leg muscles, Child’s Pose to relax the spine, shoulders and neck, and Malasana to tone the lower body and strengthen the lower back. 

Our busy lifestyles make it hard to commit to exercising, but Sok believes that yoga can be incorporated into our day lives in many ways. 

“Seated at your desk for too long? Stand up, hold the back of your chair and elongate your back. Do a Figure Four leg stretch under the desk while attending a meeting, or a tree pose while waiting for the water to boil.” 

The hardest part is always taking the first step, but the long-term benefits of yoga are definitely worth it. 

Like Sok said: “The hardest part is showing up onto the mat. The rest will follow and you will thank yourself after the practice.”