In 2015, Travelling as a passenger on the back of a Vespa on an Italian country road myworld changed

Meet Michele @michele.anne.barocchi sharing her astonishing story. These are her words ❤

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"I began my yoga journey in 1988, unaware of the resilience it would one day give me. Living in Italy, I set up @itsyogafirenze teaching, courses & retreats. I also combine my knowledge of yoga & pranayama with my career in science, helping others cope with stress

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I remember the sunburnt hills and eagles overhead that August day. I remember the beautiful blue sky: a Sky that suddenly collided with my body at a greater force than anything imaginable

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Pain overwhelmed me.

I came to, laying face up, drenched in blood, aware of agonising pain in my left leg. I screamed for assistance, but the drivers had gone looking for help

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Blood draining from my body. Staring up at the sky I recited the words that came up from my soul...'Breathe...breathe". My femoral artery was severed. As I started to drift, something deep inside was telling me to slow my breath. The pain was absolute. But my inner voice: "Breathe, focus on the sky....breathe" I was losing blood rapidly, my body was in fight or flight mode, speeding up my nervous system. My yogic training was telling me, slow it down. My knowledge of pranayama took over: 'Focus on the breathe, sky, the clouds, detach from the panic, the Vrittis'

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I gained courage knowing that if I focused my energies on my faith in my teaching, I would survive

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I ignored the fact that I was dying. I had lost half the blood in my body. I became still. Breathe. Focus on the sky. I became the stillness, I became the sky.

I came to in hospital 3 days later. .

"My leg?!"

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"Your leg is gone"

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Yoga is not the form, it is the process: about receiving the level of commitment & patience the journey takes

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Yoga saved my life 🙏

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My form has changed forever. My spirit is whole. Complete. Holding everything & nothing. Allowing what is, to be.

I continue to teach, my practice evolves, grounded in love. To share, authentically, a love of yoga. We share a community based on joy, happiness & peace. It can save lives"