As someone who digs in the dirt and occasionally attempts a downward dog (never at the same time, mind you), I approached the Garden Yoga article from our July 2024 issue of GreenPrints with both curiosity and caution. I’ve pulled a hamstring trying to reach a rogue tomato vine before—does that count as yoga? According to author Kay Flowers, it just might.

Kay has crafted a delightfully mellow approach to merging two sacred rituals: gardening and yoga. Think less hot yoga and more iced coffee with a side of dandelion. Her version of Tall Mountain doesn’t require a Himalayan trek—just a garden chair, an upright spine, and the ability to salute your neighbor with a coffee mug instead of a prayer pose. It’s mindfulness with a mulch bucket, and honestly, I’m here for it.

I especially enjoyed her take on the Warrior Pose, which doubles as weed control. It’s empowering to know that all these years of squatting next to squash plants and lunging for invasive thistle have actually been a deeply spiritual practice. Who knew I was a backyard yogi all along?

But beyond the calming stretches and clever poses, it’s Kay’s sense of humor that blooms in this piece. I laughed out loud during Child Pose, when she suggests relaxing fully—even if your family walks by and raises an eyebrow. (Pro tip: If you stay still long enough, they might assume you’ve entered a meditative trance and leave you alone to finish your coffee in peace.)

Now, this article did get me thinking: what other lifestyle mashups are we missing out on?

• Compost Pilates – Tighten your core while turning your heap. Bonus points if you can pronounce “aerobic decomposition” while doing it.
• Bonsai Barre – Tiny trees, tiny movements, big inner peace.
• Tai Chi for Tomato Cages – Slow, graceful movements to outwit the sharp metal corners of your trellis.
• Zumba with Zinnias – Shake your petals (and your hips) during the morning watering routine.

Kay Flowers’ Garden Yoga is a charming invitation to treat your body and your begonias with a little more kindness. So whether you’re a certified yogi or just someone who occasionally stretches while looking for your gloves, this piece is bound to make you smile—and maybe even breathe a little deeper.

Ready to roll out your yoga mat next to your marigolds?

Click here to read the full article and experience the beautiful collision of gardening and yoga for yourself: Read “Garden Yoga” in GreenPrints July 2024 Issue

Namaste, and pass the pruners.