"Three years ago I was a mess. Severe back pain meant I couldn’t really buckle my shoes or carry my kids upstairs. Knee pain kept me from running more than a mile. I’d also made some pretty terrible personal mistakes. Getting out of bed was hard" . "Looking in the mirror was even harder. Feeling good about myself seemed impossible . While failing to find relief with doctors and prescriptions, I learned that some of my childhood heroes—wrestlers and martial artists—were practicing yoga to heal their bodies and minds. I had tried yoga a few times in high school and college, but it never stuck. I guess I was still young and energetic enough to grind through any pains and setbacks. Plus, it didn’t seem “cool” enough for guys . As William Burroughs once said, “Desperation is the raw material of drastic change.” . Walking into that first yoga class three years ago, desperation was about all I had. The stretches hurt. I couldn’t do half the poses. I fell over a lot. But I went back, again and again. I closed my eyes and did the poses without the perceived weight of the world watching me . Somewhere along the way, I found a flow state or two. I began to learn how to move by feeling and breathing, not by pushing through and gritting my teeth . Three years later, yoga has truly saved my life. It has made me a better husband, father, coworker and friend. I barely recognize that angry and defeated person from before. I can run 8 miles or stand on my head . I owe many thanks to the many teachers I’ve had along the way, and even more to the family and friends who stuck by me, especially @michellespang24 who patiently listens to my blabbering about asanas and flow states 🙏 . I hope my story inspires others to take better care of themselves and realize that grinding out life eventually turns you into messy gravel 💚 Brady" . . . . #yogaheals #yogastory #yogajourney #yogacommunity #yogachangedme #yogawarrior #menofyoga #yogamen #yogi #wheelpose #chakrasana #urdhvadhanurasana #backbends #mensmentalhealth #mentalwellbeing #yogaformentalhealth .
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