I came to yoga because my feet turned out and my shoulders had started to round; because I caught every germ my kids brought home from school; because my balance was diminishing and I was holding on to walls to walk in a straight line.  But mostly I came to yoga because my friend said, “Yoga is saving my life,” and I thought, “Maybe it will save mine too.”  

I came to yoga to have one uninterrupted moment to myself, to think one thought all the way through, to complete one movement before flying off to the next.  I came to yoga to learn to manage my pain, my sorrow, my fear; to help me hold all my secrets without cracking up and breaking down.  I came to yoga for transformation.  

And I got it.

The feet are straight, the shoulders are strong.  I found my balance and I found the light barely shining within.  I found my voice and spoke my truth and let my secrets spill out and I felt grateful for the relief.  The world did not end.  It changed, but it did not end.  The light grew stronger and the darkness dissipated and the girl inside walked out.  I came back to myself, and she came out to meet me.

Yoga and meditation literally changed my life.  I learned to nurture myself, to be aware of myself, to care about my physical, mental and emotional well-being.  I developed a profound awareness of my own body and breath, and that awareness informs every decision I make.  And best of all, I found communion with the girl inside, my deepest truest self.  

We say “Namaste” at the end of each yoga class.  It means, “The light in me sees and honors the light in you.”  I came to yoga to see and honor the light inside.

Would you like to share your story about how Yoga Changed Your Life? If so, please email your story to contact@transparentheartyoga.com. Email us if you'd just like to share! And/or we'd be happy to publish it either anonymously or with your name.