FROM DARK BEGINNINGS

 

It's a very sad fact that almost all of us have had difficult moments to endure in our lives.

 

The practice of yoga found me at one of my worst.

 

It was 2014 and I found myself as a single Mum (again) with my beautiful 3 year old son, Jack.  We were facing the threat of homelessness and I was trying to wrap my head around the recent traumatic events that had lead to my escape from an abusive relationship.  I was crumbling under crippling stress and anxiety.  For the sake of Jack, I painted on a smile whenever I had to, but with spiralling financial struggles and no support, most days I couldn't even bare to open the curtains and let the daylight in.  But Jack, my happy baby boy, deserved so much more.  Despite my struggles he looked to me like his idol and I knew in the depths of me that something had to change.

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LET IN THE LIGHT

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There's an old proverb about two mice who fell into a bucket of milk.  Neither could swim; one succumbed to this fact and drowned... but the other mouse decided to say "screw convention" and fight for his life regardless.  He kicked, wriggled and fought so hard in defiance that he managed to churn the milk into butter and was able to climb his way out!

 

I needed to become that mouse...

 

I started forcing myself to open the curtains... I made myself get dressed and get moving... it was a lot harder than it sounds, but each day I took small steps to keep churning the milk, just like that little mouse.  I didn't have any spare cash (remember the spiralling financial struggles?!) but I'd read that exercise releases the "happy hormone".  Going for a run on my own would give me time to dwell on my thoughts, so instead I decided to contact all of my local gyms in turn and take advantage of their free trials - now I know this isn't morally great, but I'd like to think they'd be happy if they knew the bigger picture of what they were part of, sorry local gyms!

 

It was at one of these gyms that I was introduced to my very first yoga class.  I thought that yoga was all about the physical shapes; a fitness class for becoming more flexible and toning the body.   But something totally unexpected happened - something ‘clicked’ - I realised that yoga was bringing me flexibility and strength in my mind, not just giving me more flexibility and strength in my body!  The combination of meditation, mindfulness and movement is a powerful force.  It can lift you out of darkness and slow you down when your head is whirring.  This "gym class" was so much more powerful and transformative than I could have ever imagined and my love affair with the magical practice of  yoga had begun...

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LIVING IN TECHNICOLOUR

 

I didn't expect to fall in love with yoga the way that I have - it absolutely happened by accident, but with the most perfect timing.  I've been practicing yoga for over 7 years now and it has very much become a part of my life, a part of me.   I qualified in..... and I feel passionate about sharing the positive benefits that yoga can bring to you.  Whether that's becoming more aware of your thought patterns or creating space in your day to move your body, wherever you are in your yoga journey I’m here to support you to practice what feels good.

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​Don't live in the dark... let your colours shine!