4 Yoga Poses That Seriously Reduce Inflammation

As a personal trainer, kickboxing instructor, and fitness model, I spend an awful lot of time moving my body in all planes of motion. On any given day, I may be found training a client bootcamp-style in Central Park in the morning, then running to a casting where I'm given ten seconds to show off my impressive tricks (i.e., jumping right into a dancer's pose without a proper warm-up) in the afternoon, then teaching a kickboxing class at 5 p.m., and finally ending the evening weight-training a client or two.

This extremely active lifestyle has its benefits (I adore my job and am never, ever bored), but it can also take a major toll on one's body. When I first decided to devote my life to helping others achieve their fitness goals, I was not aware of the impact it would have on my own personal fitness.

I've always been active, but this is next level, and at the end of each day, I would find myself exhausted, sore, and reaching for the ibuprofen to help with the painful inflammation (usually in my lower back, hips, and shoulders). But as the days went by, I was becoming uncomfortable with this new pill-popping routine I'd established. I live a sober life and really prefer to treat what ails my body holistically whenever possible.

So I did what made the most sense to me as an informed fitness professional: I put down the ibuprofen and turned to yoga to ease my sore, overworked muscles. Since adopting this "pain replacement," I've had very little pain, my energy levels throughout the day have improved, and I sleep more peacefully at night.