From Injury to Insight: How Yoga and Breathwork Can Transform Your Recovery with Bridget Vaglio

I never expected an injury to change the way I moved—or breathed. At the time, I was running and rock climbing with the kind of intensity that youth demands, pushing my body without much thought to rest or recovery. Inevitably, injury found me.

The funny thing? I don’t even remember the specific injury that led me to my first yoga class. But I do remember how uncomfortable it was. Twisting my body into unfamiliar positions, struggling to focus on my breath, and worst of all—the stillness. The long pauses where there was nothing to do but be present. I would literally feel dizzy when I stopped moving.

And yet, I kept coming back.

Each session left me a little stronger, a little more flexible, and a little more connected to my breath. Over time, I realized yoga wasn’t just about movement—it was about learning to regulate my nervous system, improve my awareness, and approach challenges (both physical and mental) with a new level of control.

The Power of Breathwork in Yoga

One of the biggest benefits of yoga is the focus on breathwork. Deep, intentional breathing is a natural way to downregulate your nervous system. You can’t just tell yourself to “relax” and expect results—but slowing and deepening your breath? That works. It helps shift your body out of a constant “fight or flight” state, which so many of us unconsciously live in. And if you’re dealing with pain, this ability to regulate your nervous system can make a huge difference in your experience.

Movement, Balance, and the Barefoot Connection

Yoga movements range from deep, prolonged holds to slow, controlled flows that sync with the breath. The focus is on stability, flexibility, and balance—three elements that benefit just about everyone. And since yoga is practiced barefoot, it also strengthens the foot-to-core connection. At Clash, we love anything that gets people out of restrictive footwear and into more natural movement! Developing stronger feet and improving balance isn’t just a yoga thing—it’s a life thing.

Yoga as a Tool for Recovery

Now, years after my first class, I still get injured from time to time. But instead of frustration taking over, I have the tools to approach recovery differently—with better body awareness, a greater ability to regulate stress, and a whole set of movements I know will help me heal.

Injury is never fun, but it can be a valuable learning opportunity—a chance to try something new, to reassess, and to build a stronger, more resilient body. And that’s what we’re all about at Clash Physical Therapy & Health Services: helping you put the pieces of your recovery puzzle together.

If you’re interested in exploring yoga, Yoga with Adriene on YouTube is a great starting point for at-home practice. And for those in Worcester looking for a studio experience, we highly recommend River and Stone Yoga—your therapist can even help guide you toward specific classes that fit your needs.

Ready to move, breathe, and feel better? Let’s get started.