Chime In How Practicing Yoga Has Helped Me Regain My Flow Stories You May Like Ready, Set … Count! Popular Annual Birding Event Aids Research Vintage Scrapbooks Offer Fascinating Windows into Student Life Rain or Shine, Weather Reporter Rob Marciano ’91 Is On the Job I was burned out from a career in law when trips to India and Sweden put me on the path to healing “Chime In” comprises brief first-person essays by Cornellians. Do you have a topic in mind? Email us at cornellians@cornell.edu! By Kevin Gibson ’10 Ironically, I once scoffed at the thought of practicing yoga, as I was unimpressed by the way in which it was represented in the U.S. The studios, the yoga pants, and the culture felt inauthentic—not to mention that almost none of the people whom I saw practicing it looked like me. After attending my first class, which felt like a series of ways to lightly stretch my body, I remember saying to myself, “I’d rather just go to the gym.” My perception of yoga completely changed after my first visit to India in 2022. I saw saddhus (yoga devotees) that looked like me, and was given the full picture of what yoga was all about. What was being offered at most places in the U.S. was not whole. It was only a piece of the puzzle—a recipe devoid of key ingredients, a waxing crescent, a compass that had lost its direction. After graduating from Cornell and then law school at Georgetown, I had joined “Big Law” and began representing start-up companies and venture capital funds. I learned a lot and made a lot of money. To outsiders, everything was great—but looking at my reflection in the mirror, I was unhappy, overworked, anxious, and losing myself by the second. To outsiders, everything was great—but looking at my reflection in the mirror, I was unhappy, overworked, anxious, and losing myself by the second. On March 13, 2020—the Friday before the pandemic lockdown began—I left my job to dip my toe into the cooling but frightening waters of entrepreneurship. I would hang out my own shingle as a solo practitioner, while working on creative projects that spoke to my soul. It was clear how I would make a living—but the real work was getting back to feeling like myself again. According to the American Bar Association, lawyers are at a higher risk of depression than the general population and have a higher prevalence of mental health concerns. In addition to the unforgiving hours, representing clients requires that you think about the past—legal precedents—as well as what can go wrong in the future. The author at Commencement 2010. This kind of thinking is in direct conflict with something that has proven to support mental health: the “be present” teachings of yoga and mindfulness. To find some reprieve, I began reading self-help books, including texts on the teachings of ancient sages. The word that kept appearing was “kundalini”: a blocked or dormant coiled energy, often symbolized as a serpent, said to reside at the base of the spine, that can be awakened through the practice of yoga. Looking to learn more, I booked a kundalini yoga retreat in India in 2022. To find some reprieve, I began reading self-help books, including texts on the teachings of ancient sages. Stories You May Like Ready, Set … Count! Popular Annual Birding Event Aids Research Vintage Scrapbooks Offer Fascinating Windows into Student Life “Yog,” which stood for union, not only referred to a union with God, but encompassed an entire system—physical postures, meditation, breathwork, and a way of living that could bring your body back to a state of equilibrium and transform your life. After 60 days in India, I practiced yoga daily by myself for a year, then headed to Sweden for a three-month retreat. We relinquished our electronic devices, woke up every morning at 5 a.m., learned advanced kriyas (yogic techniques), and spent one month in complete silence. My life was forever changed for the better—as, through these yogic practices, I regained my balance, recalibrated my nervous system, and renewed my strength. The unexpected gift: from the silence came sound. Within six weeks of returning from Sweden, I composed 21 songs a cappella and sent them to a close friend, artist, and producer who made customized instrumentals. I named the album Finding Flow, because the music was an expression of my journey to regain my flow and be born again with new life, a greater perspective, and a deep spiritual connection. It’s hard to put the music into a genre—but if I had to label it, I’d call it “New Age Spiritual Awakening.” It’s upbeat and soulful, with a vibe that both invigorates and gets the listener into a reflective, meditative state. The songs, which are filled with inspiring verses, honor the healing that yoga has given me, and encourage others to get quiet and to uncover the health and creativity that lies dormant within. The album is available through my digital platform, Phillip Matador, whose mission is to increase the well-being and consciousness of our generation and help others tap into the highest version of themselves. Based on the current state of the world, it is clear to me that many parts of our society are unwell and that our priorities are misaligned. Based on the current state of the world, it is clear to me that many parts of our society are unwell and that our priorities are misaligned. The world does not need Amazon packages to come to our doors any faster; it needs love and a higher level of consciousness. The vehicle that I have found which is exceptional for cultivating this is yoga. The smartest person in the room is no longer the person with the best mind, but the person who seeks and finds balance within their mind, body, and spirit. When we find this balance within ourselves, this same balance will expand to positively affect the world that surrounds us—a ripple effect impacting other bodies composed of water—expanding concentrically into this new era of well-being and consciousness. I sometimes wonder what my time at Cornell would have looked like had I had access to these tools. I can envision a day where getting training in these life-affirming practices is as standard for students as the swim test is now. A government major in Arts & Sciences, Kevin Gibson ’10 is a corporate start-up attorney and the artist, writer, and founder behind Phillip Matador. (All images provided.) Published July 14, 2025 Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ Other stories You may like Alumni Alum’s Documentary Profiles Famed Physician Anthony Fauci, MD ’66 Ask the Expert The Pain of Family Estrangement Campus & Beyond Working to Reunite Families Fractured by Opioids