Learning to Listen to My Body: An Adaptive Yoga Journey

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In simple terms, it took a life-altering car accident at age 19, a spinal cord injury, and more than 30 years to unearth a passion for this practice. Since then, learning mindfulness, adaptive yoga and becoming a certified yoga teacher has transformed my life in unexpected ways.

Before the car accident, I felt invincible. I was a dancer, swimmer, lifeguard, cheerleader, pom pom girl, choreographer, and athlete. I knew who I was and what I wanted to do after high school: go to New York to become a choreographer/dancer on Broadway. 

After the car accident, I awoke to a devastating blow. I had a crushed spinal cord with partial paralysis, and I was told I would never walk again. In 24 hours, my life was forever changed. My Broadway dreams were shattered. The physical and emotional trauma of the accident numbed my senses and led to disconnection from my body. 

It took a long time for me to regain a sense of self and create a new life. With intense physical therapy, I went from being in a wheelchair, to using forearm crutches and a cane, to foot orthotics to relearn to walk.  

Gradually I found the courage to own my body, in both present and past forms. Adaptive Yoga was one catalyst. I took my first yoga class several decades later. It was one of the best decisions of my life. 

Once I experienced Adaptive Yoga and began adapting poses to fit my body, I wanted to share it with everyone, especially those with physical challenges. 

I knew there must be others like me, with physical challenges, who could benefit from learning Adaptive Yoga and inclusive mindful practices. My search led to Accessible Yoga and the First Accessible Yoga Conference (AYC) in Santa Barbara, California. 

There are many different ways to define Adaptive Yoga and inclusive mindful practices. Simply put, my focus is inward. It includes mindful movement, mindful breathing, and mindful journal writing. In regards to movement, I teach integration of mind and body sensation over physical asana. This can include using a chair, wall or yoga tools/props. I love to explore how mindful practice (movement, breathing and mindful journal writing) feels in the body. 

Attending the 2015 Accessible Yoga Conference was life changing. It also ignited my passion to teach. I eventually enrolled in a 200-hour teacher training program. Completing my YogaWorks Registered Yoga Training (RYT200) inspired me to seek additional training. I completed Accessible Yoga Certification with Jivana Heyman, Barre Training with Jessa Voos, a teaching mentorship with Alexandria Crow, Yoga For All Certification with Dianne Bondy and Amber Karnes, and Matthew Sanford's Mind Body Solutions Opening Yoga Instructor Certification.