Why I am so passionate about Yoga

www.serenitylifestyleandgifts.com

I often get asked the question, "why am so passionate about yoga?"  Yoga has helped me find my power to heal myself, physically but also mentally, spiritually and emotionally.  We all have our unique story about our practice and this is mine.

In 2007, I was diagnosed with Antiphosphlipid Antibody Syndrome (APS); an autoimmune disease in which the body recognizes certain normal components of blood and/or cell membranes as foreign substances and produces antibodies against them.  One of the biggest hurdles I have had to face with this disease is 4 miscarriages.  

It was during that time I attended my first yoga class; (which was outdoors) with BYS Yoga in Pittsburgh, PA.  The class was led by Kristi Rogers, whom I absolutely admire.  She is amazing and if you have the chance to practice with her, do it!  I didn't have a clue what I was doing.  I didn't even realize I was supposed to take my socks off!  Kristi was so helpful and patient with me.  I definitely struggled through some of the poses but I left the class with a sense of strength and calmness.  

Recently I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism.  I started a 6 week course of medications along with bi-weekly blood tests last week.  I am also being tested for M.S. and Lyme Disease.  Today my hair started falling out from the medication.  


Why am I telling you this?  Because Yoga has been my saving grace.  It's been a constant in my life.

There are days when my body feels like it’s been replaced by someone who has never set foot on a yoga mat though.  I practice supine poses, forward folds and breathing.  Maybe a few twists will help and eventually I may work into the “harder stuff”.  Sometimes the easy stuff is the hard stuff.  I hate those days because they start with such pain but I’m also grateful because those can be beautiful practices that come to mean the world to me.

I understand how my body mirrors my mind and my heart.  Sometimes I am in pain and need comfort.  Sometimes I’m in pain and need to find my voice or my power.  My mat tends to let me know what I need.

That is when yoga becomes Yoga – a personal practice.  I am so grateful to the masters who have come before me and who have taught my teachers and through them, me, but I am not them.  I may never achieve Iyengar’s more advanced asanas.  I may never Gravity Surf for what seems like hours.

But I have poses that challenge me to grow, stretch, become stronger and more balanced.  I have Yoga and I am so happy with that!

~Namastewww.serenitylifestyleandgifts.com