We all need a break once in a while. Even if that break is for an hour after work while trying to fly one leg in the air as you desperately try to remain balanced. With the craze of first jobs beginning, classes starting, and nonstop politics and football chatter, yoga might be just what we all need to tune out and simultaneously strengthen our inner resolve.

As we celebrate National Yoga Month in September, which we took part in with LocalLEVO San Francisco‘s Yoga by the Bay, here’s a glance at how yoga can work for you…from the inside out:

Laser Focused

In this world of multiple cell phones, umpteen social media accounts and constant notifications, concentration is a skill that is slowly slipping us all. We can barely get through writing an email without checking our Facebook. Yoga changes that, and not just because your cell phone isn’t allowed in class. No matter the style of your yoga, the poses force you to shut down and remain in the moment, completely present and open to whatever impatience and discomfort you might feel.

Strength

We can all use a little extra resolve, whether that is to help us believe in ourselves, to remain confident in tough situations or merely to last through an unbelievably stressful week. As yoga strengthens physically, when done right it strengthens mentally, too. When you’re holding that half plank, your face inches from the floor and your arms burning, the more you resist quitting, the more power you gain. Walking out of a class with that type of newfound inner strength will show up for you professionally.

Peace Out

Our guess is most of you sleep with your cell phone right…because it’s your alarm clock how do you not? Thus, when exactly do you get an hour break from your phone, emails and text messages? Yoga’s natural meditative nature forces you to take that break from distractions, to leave the technology far away from your mat and just breathe. And how is breathing supposed to help you in the real world? More than you’ll ever know. Taking the time to just breath deeply, while sitting at your desk or before a big meeting, is clinically proven to distress.

Are you craving a sweaty yoga class yet? Do your body and your mind some good this week and find a class. Yes, we all know yoga can be super expensive and beyond our budget for exercise, so here are a few of our favorite ways around the yogi price tag:

1. Scour Groupon, Living Social and BloomSpot for discounted yoga classes.
2. Find the nearest Lululemon. They offer complimentary yoga classes every week in the store and at local studios.
3. There’s an app for that. There are many yoga apps out there that bring a yogi to your room for next to nothing. Disclaimer: this solution may make it more difficult to “peace out.”

Photo Courtesy of Yoga Oasis