They say that you can search high and low for your true purpose in life, but in the end it is your purpose that finds you. That’s what happened to me.
The drama began in my 30’s. I was in a lot of pain from an unrelenting repetitive stress injury related to my work as a dog groomer. I lived on Ibuprofen! Along with the pain in my neck and shoulder I was also dealing with this unhealthy relationship I had formed a long, long time ago with a monster chronic anxiety. This relationship had evolved over a long period of time, and I suddenly found myself in an almost constant state of complete insanity anxiety. I almost never felt comfortable going out and doing normal things. In fact, I almost never felt comfortable at all. Between the chronic pain and the anxiety, I spent most of my free time in bed, “resting”.
Then it found me! Viniyoga was pretty simple to do, yet the results I was getting were highly amazing! I’ve been practicing almost daily since Dec 2006. I continue to notice changes for the positive as I travel down my personal Viniyoga road. I no longer live on Ibuprofen, I rarely feel anxious, and I can go out and do things I have never been able to do before! I fly all by myself to California (and I don’t die!), and drive all by myself across the country (and I don’t even die!). I can even leap small buildings problems in a single bound! (Oh, AND I don’t die!!!) Sometimes I amaze myself! What I’m most amazed by are the little every day things that I was missing before. Like the other day, when I walked into a convenience store (nasty anxious places for me in the past) and bought myself a drink, anxiety free! Three cheers for meeeeee~!!
I had done yoga before, but there was something different about this type of yoga. It felt so right in my body. I recognized from beginning that this was something I needed to go out and share, because not enough people where aware of its total awesomeness! So, I began to study. In the beginning, I studied on my own and through conferences and workshops with my teacher. My first yoga “class” was a 14 hour workshop with Gary Kraftsow! Since that first class, I have completed my 500 hour teacher certification, and am now working towards certification as a Yoga Therapist (which is another 500 hour program, can you say “exhausting?”). It seems there is always more to learn, and I anticipate my studies will continue throughout my life.
I have personal experience with the deeply profound and transformational benefits side effects of yoga. I believe that no matter who you are, there is a yoga practice that is just right for you. Just a few minutes a day, or even a few times a week, can make a huge difference in your life!
“If you engage in simple practices consistently, you will be amazed at their capacity to create deep change.” -Gary Kraftsow
Note to foot, I mean foot note!~ I poke fun at anxiety in this post, but that doesn't' mean I don't take it seriously. I still "wheel and deal" with mine from time to time, and yoga has been a powerfull tool in helping me do that! Some other tactics I have used are bodywork and acupuncture.