My Story

Some years ago, I made life changes that freed up hours in my day. I finally began a regular Yoga practice and knew I would share my love for Yoga someday. I showed up on time, followed ques, and was nearly militant about my commitment to my time on the mat. I looked healthy, but my body didn’t feel healthy. I was making all “the right” health decisions, practising Yoga, and becoming vegetarian. My Chinese Doctor and I became well acquainted even though we struggled to communicate. “What are you doing every week?” she would gesture with her hands. “Yoga,” I replied. “What is this Yoga?” she asked and yelled; “STOP with the Yoga!” I felt tired, and my body ached.

A year later, trying to figure out why I still couldn’t sit comfortably with my legs crossed, I received a diagnosis of mild scoliosis of the midthoracic spine concave to the left, and blood results confirmed anaemia. So, I wanted to learn more about adaptive practise. I enrolled in teacher’s training and was always the student asking, “Why?” or “Exactly how does that work?” I gained a healthy foundation but wanted more depth of modern medical theory and traditional wisdom. I was teaching in prescriptive ways I knew were contraindicated and possibly unsafe for specific individuals walking into class. There was a deep longing to learn from a certified Yoga therapy training, but none was available in South Africa. I waited and checked online for possibilities to unfold, then…Covid. A blessing for me during the global pandemic was finding The Yoga Therapy Institute. It was the right school at the right time, set up safely and professionally for continuing my studies full-time during the global crisis. I gained even more as the institution became a community of deep support and trust. My life began to heal. I learnt to apply moderation, and my focus became about creating balance instead of committing to extremes.

As I move forward with Yoga therapy, I’m excited to apply some of my most prominent understandings with those I’m fortunate to work with.