"My mother passed away in 2010, we were never that close but the loss floored me & I was in a very dark place"
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Meet @melissadawnyogi sharing her #yogasavedmylife story with us 💚
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"Growing up, I was chubby & all I ever wanted to do was fit in; terrible at sports & the only thing I liked to do was sing & make up stories in the privacy of my bedroom. My audience was Bert & Ernie - I found more solitude with plush toys than humans. I was told I would never stretch my arms out to hug anyone & I cried a lot. School came & went & so did my self-esteem. I faked notes to skip running at school. I enjoyed theatre & gym but fear prevented me from sticking with them. After high school I was in a very abusive (mental & physical) relationship for 3 years. This led to crippling anxiety. There was some experimental drug use. I walked away from it all but had panic attacks, depression & self-loathing"
In 2000, I met the love of my life on a blind date & married four years later. He was everything I was not - physically & mentally strong; I was overweight & depressed. If not for him, I do not know where I would be. He is my anchor & best friend ❤
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My mother passed away in 2010, we were never that close but the loss floored me & I was in a very dark place. To escape, I tried running for a while & cardio. In 2014 I went to my first hot yoga class. For the first time in my life I stuck with something 100% 🙏
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I built my foundation through IG challenges & connected with people around the world: lit a fire inside of me. I could feel a transformation. I fell in love with the practice & myself. The true nature of everything, once closed, came bursting open. Things I took for granted before were suddenly everywhere. The connection & magic of self-realization evident
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Each time I lunge, extend my arms – I am standing with a purpose with God’s grace to lead the way. A warrior never gives up, a protector, radiating confidence. This is who I am becoming. Someone to guide others to their honest truth. A warrior stands on their own with determination & strength - aiming in one direction. For the first time, in my forties, I am pointed in one direction – YOGA 🙏❤