After 30 years of a beloved running lifestyle, I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease likely related to my scoliosis
My orthopedic surgeon was shocked by the severity of the degeneration for someone my age. He urged me to turn to yoga and swimming. Yoga won
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Initially, yoga made my intense pain far worse. I was attending a flow class with no attention to alignment or any thought to keeping me out of my hyper-mobile joints. Then, the anxiety attacks and palpitations began sometimes even in savasana
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My body was responding to my abrupt stop in running, which unbeknownst to me...was keeping my anxiety at bay. I then saw a cardiologist who cleared me with a long series of tests and urged me to “do more yoga.” It was a very long time later that I was divinely guided to an Iyengar class
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Without a doubt, the Iyengar method saved my life. From the very first class I felt a tremendous shift in my body, mind and soul. My pain began to diminish, my strength began to increase. My chiropractor was stunned by...the change in my musculature, alignment and shift away from needing his care
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Where I once felt powerless, vulnerable, weak after ending my running career...I now feel empowered and strong. I am growing daily in body, mind and soul and finding discipline through the 8 limbs of yoga
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I am eternally grateful for the Iyengar method and am now a teacher trainee, guiding others to find empowerment and equanimity 🙏
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Amy ❤
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