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Ellen VandeWater never expected that seeking relief from running soreness in her early 30s would fundamentally change how she approaches leadership, stress, and life itself. What started as a simple quest for flexibility has become the foundation for how she manages her role as Branch Manager at First Federal Bank’s main Twin Falls location.

“I was really sore from running, so I knew that I should get something into my routine that works on my flexibility,” Ellen recalls. A friend’s encouragement led her to yoga, where she quickly discovered benefits that extended far beyond physical relief.

When her yoga instructor became pregnant and asked Ellen to demonstrate poses and modifications, something clicked. “It just got into my blood,” she explains.

The Mind-Body Connection at Work

As a branch manager, Ellen faces constant interruptions and competing priorities—exactly the kind of environment where yoga’s lessons prove most valuable. “At a branch, there’s a lot going on all the time. You can’t shut off people walking in or the dinger at the drive-through, but what you can do is focus on one thing at a time.”

This mindfulness extends beyond task management to fundamental leadership philosophy. “Sometimes your body doesn’t do what you want it to do, and that applies to every aspect of life,” Ellen notes. “When you can’t do something the way you want to, there’s always a modification and a way to do it differently to still accomplish a goal.”

The breath work central to yoga practice has become Ellen’s primary stress management tool. “Inhaling and exhaling through every thought and every motion” helps her maintain composure during challenging moments.

Flexibility as Leadership

Perhaps counterintuitively, yoga’s emphasis on flexibility has made Ellen a stronger leader by teaching her when to yield. This humility proves especially valuable as a relatively new branch manager. “I have to rely on the other people around me, and yoga teaches that it’s okay to be vulnerable and say, ‘I’m not able to do this right now—I’m going to focus my energy elsewhere.’”

Ellen’s favorite practice is Tadasana, or mountain pose, which she uses for quick resets. “When I step away from my desk or need a moment before changing tasks, I practice Tadasana,” she explains. “You scrunch your shoulders up to your ears, then roll them back and down, lift your crown to the sky, and focus on your breath.”

Decision-Making and Clarity

Regular yoga practice has transformed Ellen’s approach to decision-making and stress management. “I don’t let all the minor details, even though they’re all important, get to me,” she notes. “With anxiety and fears of making mistakes, having yoga as a wellness practice has made me focus on knowing that the decision I make will be the right one.”

This confidence stems from yoga’s teaching about effort and acceptance. “I’ve pushed my body and brain to the limit—I’ve done all I can do,” Ellen explains.

Starting Your Practice

For those hesitant to begin, Ellen offers encouragement: “Yoga is for every body, and that means everybody can do it. Your physical movement impacts your day-to-day life.”

She emphasizes that consistency matters more than duration. “Don’t be critical of yourself when trying to incorporate wellness into your schedule. Twenty minutes makes a world of difference.” The key is starting. “As soon as you get five minutes, that’ll lead to 10, that’ll lead to 20.”

The Bigger Picture

Ellen’s commitment to personal wellbeing reflects a broader understanding of professional effectiveness. “We give so much of ourselves to our careers, families, and communities,” she observes. “If we aren’t prioritizing ourselves, we won’t be able to give what we’re capable of giving to others.”

This philosophy—fill your cup first—has become central to how she approaches both leadership and life. “If I’m not good to myself, I’m not going to be as great as I could be to others.”