My Love Letter To Yoga

Dear Yoga,

You are my medicine. You brought me back from a period of my life when I was broken. My mom introduced me to you as a child and because of your connection to her, you have always held a very special place in my heart. I have turned to you in key transitions in my life where I have been lost. Your practice has helped me find myself again and again. 

When I was at my lowest point right after my marriage ended, I remember an inner voice urging me to get on my mat.  Denying my self care, I had not practiced in many years, but I recall an inner knowing that you would save me. During my first few classes, I had such low self worth and was so uncomfortable in my body, that I would hide in the back of the class comparing my appearance and my flexibility to the beautiful yogis in the room. While in shavasana one day, I had a very spiritual experience - a clear vision of my grandmother who was no longer living. She provided encouragement to me and words of comfort. I held back my sobs as the tears streamed down my face. This was the breaking point for me, and I was finally able to release the years of anger, sadness, guilt and shame by moving the energy through my body. 

I kept coming back to my mat, even on the days/nights I was tired, depressed and angry. I began to notice after about three months, that the feeling of heaviness in my heart lifted, and I started to see a physical transformation. My body was stronger, and I noticed my smile starting to creep back into my expression. The first year back with you healed me - at first visibly from the outside, but it was the inner changes that healed my soul. I began to let go. I allowed myself to take chances. I began to live again. You connected me to amazing people - my tribe - and gave me the courage to accept myself - for all of my flaws and all of my choices. You opened my heart again and since getting back on my mat four years ago, I have a completely different mindset and energetic frequency. 

I embraced my healing journey and made my intention to continue to get on my mat for myself. The changes I have observed with my dedication to my practice are that I am less reactive, calmer, healthier, happier, more present and more grateful. You will always be synonymous with freedom - a state of connection to my deepest essence. Your practice is a way for me to go inward and find stillness, harmony, truth and love. You help and remind me to just be.

Love,

Allison

P.S. I want to express my heart felt gratitude to the inspirational yoga teachers who have been instrumental in my practice Paul Teodo, Byron De Marse and Shayna Hiller. And for those of you who I met along the way through yoga - you are my people and I love you! My intention for 2021 is to complete my Yoga Teacher Training hopefully in Bali. You never know what happens when you put your dreams down on paper. It is kind of magical.