"My yoga journey stemmed from darkness. I was diagnosed with manic depression, bi-polar, when I was 13 & later developed a serious alcohol problem
I lacked self confidence my entire life; never felt like I belonged, I was shy which is what made me start drinking in high school. I come from an alcoholic family
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In 2013 I unexpectedly found out I was pregnant, but I finally had something to fill my void of feeling like I had a purpose: until it all came crashing down, taken from me by miscarriage. Then I had another one a year later
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My drinking went from fun to spiraling out of control & lasted for 5 years. Until 7 months ago I was done. I was gone, I looked in the mirror I didn’t even know who I was. I hated myself & just wanted to die
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I felt like no one loved me or understood me. By a series of unfortunate & crazy events which included waking up in a hospital with 8 stitches in my eyebrow on New Year’s Eve. My sister sat next to me & begged me to get sober. But I just couldn’t stop until one day I hit my absolute rock bottom & I surrendered to god to just take it all away
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I'd have lost everything. My family, friends, job, everything. Changing was hard. I had to cut off everyone who drank , every place, street that reminded me of drinking. I had to change so much of my life
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I made the choice to commit everyday to my mental health. Yoga has helped me love myself through my darkness. It helped me see past what others made me feel my worth was
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Yoga gave me power over me: something I felt I never truly had. Instead of drowning in a bottle I now drown in serenity, peace, happiness & the beautiful flow of YOGA🙏 .
Looking back 6 months ago, I'd have never believed I had it in me to be as talented & drawn to nature & capable of the amount of things I have learned simply through stretching, challenging myself, meditation & acceptance while on my mat. I want to help others know there are ways through healing by spirituality & yoga. There is light at the end of the tunnel. You just have to accept that light & keeping aiming towards it 🙏
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Chelsea 💚"
