As a young teenager, I had an idea that yoga would be good for me in old age. I was unfit with a tendency toward depression and eating disorders. I remember borrowing a book about yoga from a friend’s mother and tried to follow along, but really needed a teacher. Perhaps, I wasn’t done with the self-destructive path I was following at the time.
 
In my late thirties, I felt broken, my shoulders had frozen and I couldn’t lift my arms above the height of my elbows and they hurt all the time. I had a brilliant small business making character costumes – mostly big, fluffy heavy animal costumes, but it became increasingly difficult for me continue with this work. All the stop-gap treatments I sought stopped working – chiropractic, physio, massage and the dreaded pain killers. I knew it was time to do something radical And yes, I went to a yoga class.
 
I clearly remember my first yoga class and not being able to do hardly anything, but the teacher was happy to let me do whatever I could as I hid at the back of the room. What was remarkable was that the very the next day I felt different, better within myself.
 
With each yoga class, I felt myself getting better and stronger both in my mind and body. My focus improved, my personal interactions improved and I could feel my body getting stronger and more flexible. It was so empowering. With guidance from my yoga teacher, I was recovering and rediscovering myself, rather than having a therapist ‘fix’ me. This made it even more empowering.
 
Immediately, I wanted to share this amazing practice that changing my outlook on life! I was so enthusiastic I would purchase classes for friends and drag them along with me. And I always wanted to learn more. I started attending more classes and workshops and developed a home practice. Through the ups and downs of my life, I found something I could find refuge in that gave me the knowledge to know that I could get through the next trial, as well as having good health to revel in the good times. I rarely get sick and I now know how to listen to my body. When I am on the edge of a cold or flu, I practice restorative yoga, When I am well I practice strength building.
 
It thrills me that at sixty-nine years of age, I can do the things I couldn’t do when I was six, let alone sixteen. When I was young I thought I would die young. Now I think I will live to a ripe old age with yoga to sustain me.
 
I am stronger, I am more flexible, I am more optimistic and I have a sense of knowing myself.