Yoga is the pop star’s best exercise for managing stress.
(Image: Getty Images; Mark Piasecki; Canva)
Published on June 11, 2026 at 02:11 pm
Olivia Rodrigo’s secret to managing stress? A generally calm attitude and, as it turns out, a regular yoga practice.
During a The last episode to New York Times Podcast popcastcritic Jon Caramanica and culture reporter Joe Coscarelli asked Rodrigo to name some of the things she’s good at besides what she does for a living — like singing, songwriting, and performing around the world. Her first answer? Playing Cards (Alternate names the pop star uses for his suits include “clover” for clubs and “sparkle” for diamonds.) Her second response? Yoga.
“I’m really good at yoga,” she said in the interview. “I actually took part in my last round because I was so nervous, and now I’m really good and I can do tricks and stuff.” The hosts showed off their yoga knowledge, asking if Rodrigo looked like the teachers Sky ting Or Adriene Mishler for classes on the go. Rodrigo confirmed that she loves Yoga with Adrien.
Her adoption of this practice makes more sense in context. And throughout the conversation, which was a stop on her promotional tour for her new album, You look very sad for a girl in lovewhich will be released on June 12, the 23-year-old displays a certain level of self-awareness. And if the musical feedback from popcastAny reference to my hosts (they of course got an early listen), and that same reflection is evident throughout her third album.
This clarity is evident when Rodrigo discusses the album’s story, which follows the rise and fall of a romantic relationship.
“For a long time, when I was younger, I was always looking for something,” she said. “Like, ‘Oh, if I had this I’d be happier, and if I had this thing in my career I’d be happier, and if I had this guy and he loved me the way I always thought he would love me, then I’d feel better about myself.'” And slowly throughout my life and this relationship that I talk about (on the album), you realize that the problems you have aren’t just going to be solved by someone else. “There’s something that could distract you, but it’s your own problems.”
This kind of insight, introspection, and non-attachment certainly comes with growth and experience. But yoga definitely helps.
