This post is based on the article Cellular Vitality: Unlocking the Power of Mitochondrial Health
Posted on February 18, 2025 by Katie Tietz. The article explains so much of what I have felt since I began yoga, but find difficult to explain.
I began yoga as a last resort. I had arthritic knees and I struggled to walk up the stairs. I'd always been relatively active so my limited mobility hit me hard. All three orthopaedic surgeon consultations suggested a double knee replacement.
In her article Katie writes
"The phrase “yoga transforms lives” is often spoken with heartfelt conviction, but what if we told you it’s not just a feel-good sentiment? Groundbreaking research reveals that yoga doesn’t just benefit the mind and body on the surface—it’s a practice that operates on a cellular level, enhancing the very building blocks of our energy systems: the mitochondria."
Our mitochondria are in many ways the foundation of our life force..the 'powerhouses' for our body. They provide resilience, recovery and when impaired lead to fatigue, inflamation and chronic disease. At the time I began yoga I had also struggled for decades with endometriosis, hypermobility and a form of 'neurodivergence' which leads to impulsivity and burnout. To be fair my lifestyle trajectory didn't look great, basically my body and nervous system were fucked!
My first yoga session was more than thirteen years ago and I have practiced yoga at least five times per week since. I began with Bikram five times a week (90 mins in 104 degree heat, basically like a sauna). Eventually I ventured into other types of practice and realising just how much yoga was benefiting not just my knees but my mind too. I trained to become as instructor for my fiftieth birthday. This was a challenge for me as yoga in the west is the domain of bendy twenty somethings who like a piece of spaghetti can throw any pose with ease. I had to work at my practice and perhaps that why it has become the scaffolding of my life.
That said, life throws us some curve balls which is what happened during menopause. I thought I'd escaped the perils of menopause but then it hit me hard aged 53. Guided by medics it's felt like the blind leading the blind and much of my A&E admissions was because of the imcompetence of medics and their lack of knowledge of how menopause and endometriosis interact.
I feel grateful I have my daily yoga meditation, I've no dea where I would be otherwise.
As I said...it's hard to explain how yoga helps, it can sound woo woo or like a placebo... now we have some evidence to help us understand. I'll leave this excellent article with you and a quote from Katie's conclusion.
"For individuals managing chronic conditions or simply looking to optimize their well-being, yoga offers a transformative practice that unites body, mind, and mitochondria."
You can read the article below;
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