My Journey to Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy

Yoga offers powerful tools for healing, physically and mentally. From the time I was 12 years old, I have been dealing with depression. When I was in middle school, my mother offered me her yoga VHS tapes as an option to deal with my depression. It helped me to sleep when I was otherwise restless most nights. At a young age I could tell there was something special about yoga and it has stuck with me ever since. In addition to depression, I have been dealing with chronic pain since I was 10 years old. At the age of 19, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disorder. I decided not to let this diagnosis define me; I decided to fight it.

After graduating from college, I became a certified yoga teacher to help spread the healing benefits of yoga to as many people as I could. After a few years, I knew I was looking for something deeper from my yoga practice to expand and grow as a teacher. After a lot of research, I found Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy (PRYT) and I knew this was it! This had been the “something more” that I had been looking for in my life. This program was going to allow me to learn a way to connect with people on a deeper, more personal level.

Using assisted yoga postures and dialogue techniques in one-on-one sessions, Phoenix Rising therapists helps clients to bring awareness to what is happening in their bodies in the present moment. Helping clients to find acceptance of their true selves allows them to open their lives to growth and change, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The process is non-directive and centered on the client. Through working with physical tension, PRYT therapists explore what is happening in our bodies and how it relates back to our everyday lives. Releasing this tension can often cause clients to discover a deeper inner truth to help move forward and lead a more meaningful, purposeful life.

Being able to hold this space for people is a powerful feeling. Over the past 2 years I have felt lost, like I had no direction. Once I found Phoenix Rising, I knew I was being pointed in the right direction. After experiencing my first training, I am convinced that I was meant to do this program. Connecting with others and being able to help them heal emotionally and physically is a dream come true. I never knew that I was capable of helping people in this way, but I am so glad I am developing this skill.

Practicing Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy elements on myself has also helped me to grow as a person and practitioner over the past 10 months. I was feeling trapped in a job with an emotionally abusive boss. Everyday, I went into work scared that I was going to make a wrong move and risk getting belittled and screamed at. In just a few short months this person stripped me of my personality. I lost the light inside of me. The rage that I felt towards my boss poured over into my personal life because I was unable to stand up to him.

After four months of daily abuse, it was time for me to assist the first level of our Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy program. It could not have been more perfect timing. Throughout those four days we did a lot personal exploration. It was here that I accessed my inner power and found my worth. Less than 48 hours after this training ended, my boss was verbally abusing me again. This time, I stood up to him. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Standing up for myself and telling him he cannot treat me the way he did was the most empowering thing I have ever done. No one deserves to be treated the way he was treating me and I told him that. It was a toxic environment and I needed to remove myself from it. Finally knowing my worth and what I deserved allowed me to stand up for myself and face my fear of standing up to my boss.

After having this experience, I feel strong. No longer will I let someone determine my worth or value in life. I am a bright shining light in this world and I cannot let another person dim that. I deserve love and compassion, not anger and judgement. This inner exploration helped me learn about myself and what my limits are when it comes to what I am willing to accept. I feel empowered and ready to help others heal from their past and become the best versions of themselves. Will you take the first step towards change?

#healingthroughyoga #yogapractice #yoga #yogatherapy