MY WHY
The moment I redirected my awareness from my external environment to my internal, and really acknowledged all that occurs within the space I reside, my yoga practice took shape.
There are so many reasons why I love yoga, writing, and submerging myself in the vibration of sound. For a long time, I was living a life of constant fear. I was painfully uncomfortable in my own skin. I experienced frequent social anxiety while in group settings and I often gave the voice in my head, the one constantly criticizing my every doing, all of the power. I would go through phases of feeling depleted and completely out of touch with myself. Trying everything I could to escape the cycle. Even when I was first introduced to yoga as a young adult, I had a hard time bringing myself to go into studios and practice in group settings. I knew I loved the practice but I was intimidated, skeptical (more of myself than the yoga), and downright scared.
Eventually, I came across a yoga studio where I felt seen and supported within it’s walls. I learned about pranayama (breathing techniques), mudras (symbolic & ritual gestures), mantras, and the cultural background of yoga. I started to feel strong in my body, noticing the growth in my physical performance. Through the time spent on my mat, I began to feel deeply passionate about something - for the first time. It was that flickering sensation, like a fire burning inside the core of my being, that I felt called to continue my practice with more self-discipline and consistency. Over the years, I have been brought to teachers that have inspired me to go deeper, and I’ve met and connected with other yogis that have similar views as I do - facing the world with curiosity and continuously seeking personal growth.
One of the greatest gifts yoga has given me is a sense of belonging; a community. Something I didn’t even realize I was seeking until I found it. Being a part of a community fuels my fire. However, the most important part of yoga to me is the mind-body connection. It is being in tune with myself - my thoughts, feelings, emotions, and physical capability. I have built a relationship with myself and it has become the most important relationship in my life. I have become my own vira (warrior/hero). I have gotten to a point in my life where I actually feel SAFE inside my body. I experience joy and happiness without having to look outside of myself for it.
For me, yoga has been a vital resource in supporting my mental, physical, and spiritual health. It has allowed me to go deep, overcome challenges, and acknowledge my potential. Mental health has always been a topic I hold dear to my heart. It is through my practice that I aim to maintain as well as spread awareness on the matter. It wasn’t until I developed a deeper spiritual understanding within my practice that I began to see the link between mental health and spiritual well-being. I was able to see how intertwined they are - their overlapping layers fusing together like a quilt. I realized that yoga acts as the threads which hold the two together.
It is through my journey that I have found myself in a place that I tirelessly dreamt of being in for so long. I have come to learn that I have everything I could ever need already within me. I have learned how to access the magic. And half of the fun is that I still have so much to uncover. Each day is a brand new opportunity to further surpass the shackles of limitations I once believed to be real. Experiencing a life of fulfillment means continuously doing the work and acknowledging the fact that there will ALWAYS be something to learn. Yoga is a journey, not a destination. It truly is my life and I am forever grateful for what it has done for me.
With my life’s experiences under my belt, I aim to support and encourage others as they journey through their own versions of growth and self-study. It is through my love for the written word, yoga, and meditation that I am able to create this path.
Writing has always been a part of who I am - my go to tool for self reparations and reflections. It is a part of my yoga practice. And it is how I share the practice with others, off the mat and outside of the classroom. It is through both my writing and my teaching skills that I hope to help others find comfort in who they are and all that they are capable of - to offer a sense of community and genuine human connection. By sharing my offerings, my intention is to help you step into your full potential and uncover all of the intricate parts of what it is to exist in comfort and strength. This is my dharma (purpose). This is my why.
