MY STORY

I vividly remember the day I decided that I wanted to be a yoga teacher. I was struggling with addiction, alcoholism, my identity, and self-love. I had been consuming without fear of consequence or question. I lost my job due to a very drunken summer working the fairs. I moved back in with my mom, which wasn't so bad, except I had no job, no self-worth, no energy, no passion, and not a single friend that wasn't also using. I knew I had to change my path but really had no direction. I went came to Gray’s Lake to run in circles until I figured it out. Gray’s has always been a reminder of home for me, my happy place, a place to put my feet on the ground. After days of running I needed something else. I’d been to yoga before but never felt good at it. I didn't feel balanced or flexible, or healthy or anything you’re supposed to be in yoga, but I needed something... So, I went to a free yoga class on a Monday night. My teacher began the class by inviting everyone to hug someone they didn't know in class. I really needed that hug, and I got a few, and I’ve got to admit it was uncomfortable, but that's what it's about. Getting uncomfortable is how you grow and expand, it’s how you learn. In that moment, I stepped off my mat, and I realized how much more there is besides stretching and remembering to breathe. I worked through so much during that class that I couldn't help by cry in shavasana. Grateful for the stillness and the space to breathe and BE! So, I practiced as you cannot take someone somewhere you’ve never been, so I studied, I listened, and I allowed myself to fully receive. Yoga gave me not only freedom in my body, but freedom in the mind as well. Showing up at least an hour each day, transformed the way I moved, and lead me to the most magical moments and connections. When you are silent long enough, often enough, you begin to hear your soul speak. My soul wanted more than money, it wanted adventure, connections, and ultimately to impact others, in the same way my experiences impacted me. I truly wanted people to fall in love with health and wellness, the same way they chased the high of that next drink or drug.