How Yoga Saved Me: Embracing Wellness Amid Life's Chaos

When I look back on my journey with yoga, I see it as a thread that has woven itself through the chapters of my life, holding me together when everything else seemed to be unraveling. It began more than 20 years ago, in my living room, with a simple DVD. At the time, I wasn’t searching for a transformative experience; I just wanted to get some exercise. But even then, in those early days, yoga was planting seeds that would later grow into something life-changing.

I was going through a transition back then, feeling lost and not quite myself. Life had thrown its curveballs, and I was grasping for something to help me feel grounded. Yoga, even in its most basic form, provided that for me. I noticed how it calmed my mind and strengthened my body. It was subtle at first, but the benefits were undeniable. Yet, despite this, it took a few more years before I fully committed to the practice.

Fast forward to the phase of life where I had my children, and with them came the beautiful chaos of real-life problems. I found myself once again in a state of transition, needing something to tether me to peace amid the storm. I turned back to yoga, knowing it had helped me before. But this time, something felt profoundly different. Every time I stepped into the studio, it was as though my heart opened a little wider. Something inside me was shifting, and I was ready to embrace it fully.

I began to approach yoga with a deep respect and intention I hadn’t felt before. I clung to the words of the instructors, allowing their guidance to resonate within me. It was as if they were speaking directly to my soul. For the first time, I was practicing yoga in a way that honored its deeper purpose - as more than just physical exercise but as a holistic practice of the mind, body, and spirit.

One of the most profound changes was learning how to quiet my mind, something I had never managed to achieve before. The constant chatter in my head - the worries, the doubts, the "what ifs" - began to settle. Through breathwork and meditation, I discovered the art of being present. In those moments on my mat, I wasn’t thinking about the laundry that needed folding, the bills that needed paying, or the to-do list waiting for me. I was just there, in the moment, fully alive.

And then there was the ripple effect. The calm I cultivated in the studio began to spill over into the rest of my life. My family noticed it first. They saw a newfound patience, a happiness, and an ease in me that hadn’t been there before. Even during rough times, I carried a sense of lightness that surprised even me. It was as though yoga had given me a new lens through which to see the world.

I vividly remember walking out of class one day and noticing how everything outside seemed brighter. The leaves on the trees appeared more vibrant, the sun shone with a warmth I could feel deep in my soul. It was a reminder of the beauty that exists in every moment when we take the time to truly see it.

These experiences are what drove my passion to learn more about yoga, its philosophies, and its transformative power. I delved deeper into the teachings, not just as a student but as someone who wanted to share this incredible gift with others. The more I learned, the more I realized that yoga is a practice of connection - to ourselves, to each other, and to the world around us.

It was this passion that led me to create retreats. These retreats are more than just a getaway; they are an opportunity to step away from the distractions of daily life and dive into a space of growth, renewal, and connection. I wanted to create environments where people could experience those same moments of clarity and transformation that I had found through yoga.

At these retreats, we move, we breathe, we meditate, and we learn - not just about yoga but about ourselves. We share stories, laughter, and quiet moments of reflection. We create a community where everyone feels supported on their journey, no matter where they’re starting from. And most importantly, we give ourselves the time and space to grow.

Yoga saved me. It gave me the tools to navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience. It taught me to honour my body, calm my mind, and embrace the beauty of the present moment. And now, it brings me so much joy to share this practice with others, whether in a studio, a retreat, or even through simple conversations about its power.

If you’ve ever felt lost, overwhelmed, or simply in need of a reset, I encourage you to give yoga a try. You don’t need to be flexible or experienced - all you need is an open heart and a willingness to show up for yourself. You might just find, as I did, that yoga has the power to save you too.