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“Through our trials and tribulations, we rise. Through our joys and experiences with those we love, we shine.” (2/9/23).
This was my response to an Instagram post of a yoga acquaintance reflecting on her year’s losses and difficulties. When she responded, “Beautifully said! Thank you for sharing this lovely quote with me.”, I was touched that someone felt I was worthy of a quote. Yet, it truly was a heart-felt response based on my life’s experiences.
Losing my Mom in a car accident when I was 11 years old was the most impactful and influencial event of my life. I have always believed that life circumstances happen for a reason, even if we don’t understand why at the time.
I would not be who I am without my Mom and the example she set for me. She gave her time and energy to others as a school teacher, Sunday School teacher, Girl Scout leader, and loving part of her family. I wouldn’t be as close to my Dad and brother if not for the loss of my Mom. I recognize special people, like Amy, wouldn’t be a part of my life without that loss. Perhaps, I would have stayed closer to home and not chosen to go to JMU where I met Tom and experienced that love which brought our kids into the world. We never know how our lives would be different if our loved ones were still with us. But loss happens, and we are given that opportunity to rise above the hardships and sadness to become better individuals.
My Mom is still my role model and inspiration. I know she lives through me. I hope as a yoga teacher I inspire others with the same welcoming smiles, positive energy, and giving heart that she had.
It is our experiences and memories with those we love that makes us who we are. When we share memories of our loved ones, we shine because they live through us. That love radiates into the world, allowing us to empathize and connect with others.
What does this have to do with yoga?
So many of our interactions relate to yoga —how we respond in the world, how we connect with others, and how we embrace and express compassion. As we learn self-care in our practices, we begin to open our hearts, connect, and care for others. Yoga helps us build relationships and connections. This is where we bring our life experiences to the yoga community.
Personal connections with others are important to me, especially as a yoga teacher. I seek to connect with the individual: what’s important to you, what’s happening in your life, your concerns, your joys, and your connection to the yoga community. Perhaps the loss of my Mom is the reason why connections and relationships matter to me.
Losing someone is tragic. My Dad always said the loss of someone is tragic no matter if it’s expected or not. Yet, he also said that death is a natural part of life and just the next step of our journey. We come to yoga, not with a clean slate but with a heart, mind, and body full of challenges, losses, stresses, joys, experiences, and memories. Yoga gives us a space to acknowledge, value, and process all of our emotions with compassion and grace. We are then able to use our feeling and experiences to move forward and grow in self-compassion and love.
When we come to yoga, we embrace that positive energy, bring it inside to transform us, and shine out in the world. Setting intentions in our practice allows us to connect with what’s important, reflecting on our personal endeavors and interactions in the world. Yoga helps us shift our attention to what really matters and let go of what doesn’t serve us. It heals us when our hearts are heavy with loss and stress, bringing a sense of balance and peace.
Through the trials and tribulations in life, yoga lifts us up. It helps us rise above the hardships to a more positive existence. We live not to just exist but to truly inspire and bring positive change in the world. Through our self-discoveries in our yoga practices, we strengthen and solidify who we are. Yoga allows us to connect and greet our inner light of compassion with hope and love. As a result, we shine forth from that essence within to make the world a better place.
Yoga does that. Yes, yoga can do all of that!
Together, let's rise and shine:
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