Starting up Yoga

I've recently done the switch between two different stress management interventions: running to yoga. In all honesty, it has been difficult for me to move from one activity to the other. Running has been very good for me: it's a great way to literally run out stress and tension, with the result that I'm too tired at night to lay awake in bed and worry about things. It's also getting me into very good shape. Hence why the difficulty in switching over to yoga. I like running so much and am starting to get good at it (improved muscle memory) and I know it works. After a good run I feel so much better. Usually my stress level goes down after a run and my mind feels clearer. The time spent on a run allows my mind to calm down and relax and BE here in the present instead of thinking about the future (something we spend too much time doing). Granted, sometimes I do spend my run thinking about what I'm going to make for dinner or what homework I want to get done tonight, but when the entire run is spend enjoying the run, the pounding of feet on pavement, the breathing of cool dusty air, and feeling sweat dry in the breeze and knowing that my mind is fully linked up with my body and my present actions--it's a great thing to do for life itself and also for stress relief.
Yoga on the other hand is not as physically intensive as running. I'm doing some basic poses on my own, a few sun salutes, stretching. Enough that by the time I work through my entire routine, my mind is usually calmed down and my body does feel the stretch and movement, which is necessary so I know I have some of the physical activity. I think that to have the mind fully relaxed and engaged, I need to have some form of mind-body interaction that fully engaged both spheres of Chelsea. My mind needs to be concentrating on something that my body is doing. I guess that's why yoga does work for stress relief--you need your mind to concentrate on enough for the body to let go of the daily stresses and wind down.
I'm also trying to think about how other people may be able to incorporate these stress management techniques into their lives. Yoga works if you can concentrate and have the courage to go with it even if you lack the flexibility. Running works if you don't care that you may be walking or going slow--you have to remember to not get competitive with the other people you may see outside with you and mentally encourage those around you to do their best, just like you are trying to do.
So for now, I'm working on this yoga thing, trying to connect my mind more to the yoga and let go of the stresses. I'm still running, but that's just for me, not the project. I was running before the project started so why stop now? Adding yoga to the mix is challenging but it is becoming a nice way to end my day.