I had never invested anytime into yoga, pilates, or meditation.  I had learned at an early age that there roots begin in Hinduism and Buddhism.  Growing up as a Catholic ideas of looking into other religions seem to be somewhat tabooed( at least when I was younger).  As I grew older, yoga and meditation especially seemed to be trending topics especially with the stigmatisation of mental health diminishing.   It wasn’t until undergrad that it seemed I was ready to expand my horizons into this direction.  Yoga seemed droll and lackluster and meditation called for emptying of thoughts when I didn’t believe the mind could stop.  I found myself in a conundrum but had to fully put effort into both before I could make a full analysis.  It was one night in meditation when i felt tears run down my face.   It was at that moment that I understood.  It was a moment completely void of thought.  It was a moment of relief.  It was the only time i ever truly listened to when rain hits the earth.  It allowed me to control my breathing to the point my smart watch thought I’d had a heart transplant.  Yoga was the same!  What seemed like meaningless stretches actually were actually maybe the most challenging exercises.  Yoga and Meditation both challenge one to exert control over body and mind respectively.  Now a necessary part of life.