“Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.”

Anyone who begins a committed yoga practice is likely in search of a better quality of life. I am no different. My personal history bears the imprint of a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, psychosis, bankruptcy, the loss of custody of my children, jobs, a home and dear friends.

I have practiced yoga inconsistently for years.  It wasn’t until May of last year, in working with Alex Mill, my life coach and former Buddhist monk, that I fully grasped the importance of doing spiritual practices daily. Alex said, and I’m paraphrasing, “when you allow the voices in your head to talk you out of doing the things that serve you, you communicate to yourself that you don’t matter.”  Since that date, I have committed to daily practices of gratitude journalling, the 5:45 am yoga class on weekdays, 7 am class on weekends, meditation and spiritual reading.

It has been through these daily spiritual practices that I am becoming a new, improved version of myself and leaving a painful past behind. Outside of the studio, I enjoy the time I have with my teenage sons, meditating in community at Show Me Dharma and the rewarding work I do as an occupational therapist at the Missouri Psychiatric Center.

I will practice yoga as long as this human body allows.  I am beyond grateful for the teachers at Sumits. As my practice continues to deepen, I find myself listening more closely to their instruction.  Thank each and every one of you.  Thank you for selecting me as your student of the month and thank you for the opportunity to share my experience.