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Speaking on its importance, Natasha said that Yoga is important for everyone. Why? Because everyone experiences stress and Yoga not only balances the mind, body and soul, as we all know, but it also reduces stress by focusing your attention on your breath and forcing you to be brought into the present.
When asked about how health-tracking wearables like the Apple Watch can help professional trainers and general users, she said: “To be honest, the Apple Watch is great if you’re someone like me who tends to overthink and then gets lazy because it will keep reminding you to stand and to breathe. So, if you need something that will gently motivate you, the Apple Watch is the way to go!”
Talking about how the latest Apple Watch Series 9 has helped her with yoga, Natasha mentioned that the Sleep App on the Apple Watch not only tracks your sleep, it works with your iPhone to help you create a bedtime routine and schedule.
“And as a bonus, you get deeper insights into your sleep stages throughout the night. This has helped me improve my sleep, which in turn allows me to wake up feeling refreshed in the morning and actually practice yoga instead of staying in bed or feeling drowsy all day,” she added.
When asked about the most useful Apple Watch features during training, she replied: “Honestly, the Camera app. When I need to shoot a yoga video, it’s much easier to set up than guessing my frame or if I’m even in the frame. With the Apple Watch, I can see what the camera is capturing and adjust accordingly. Life has become much easier with that!”
“I have become much more active because of the reminder to stand or too move more which I get on the watch,” she added.
Natasha also revealed that the Mindfulness App is her favourite on the Apple Watch because it has three important features
1. State of mind: You can log and track how you’re feeling throughout the day or how you’ve felt overall. At the end of the week, you receive a summary of your state of mind, helping you become more aware of mood fluctuations and their causes, and enabling you to reduce triggers.
2. Reflection: This is my favorite feature. It gives you a theme and you reflect on it by focusing your attention. Every time you use it, you recall moments that bring you contentment—like remembering when you felt a sense of purpose, your happiest moments, or thinking kindly of someone. This practice encourages you to carry that kindness with you throughout the day. “It truly makes you pause and self-reflect, whether you’re having a busy day or a tough one. After reflecting, you feel much more at ease,” she said.
3. Breathe: “The image of the kaleidoscopic flower and the gentle vibration on the wrist guide you to inhale when the flower blooms and exhale while it shrinks. It feels like meditation, just for one minute, to help you calm down. If a minute is not enough, you can continue until you feel calm. Plus, it tells you your heart rate, so you’re forced to slow down when you see it’s high,” Natasha explained.
Natasha also recommended that Apple Watch users should use the mindfulness app. “If you’re someone who wants to start meditation and breathwork but have no idea how to, now you know.”
Sharing her advice with Apple Watch users who practice yoga, Natasha stressed that while it’s a great tracking device, don’t get super strict and obsessed with the outcome. She advised not to get annoyed if they didn’t close a ring or even practice for a two-hour session.
“The whole idea of yoga is being kinder to yourself. The fact that you did some movement is important. The fact that you were mindful about your breathing even for a minute is important,” she added.