There’s no shortage of reasons to practice yoga, whether they be physical, mental, emotional, or a combination. On of the goals of Yoga Unify is to provide a space for yogis to come together and discuss how to continue to evolve the practice to one that’s more equitable and acessible—and for everyone to have an opportunity to weigh in. We reached out to our Founding Circle Members to get an understanding as to why they practice, and how yoga has impacted their lives. Many are yoga teachers or leaders of their commuities, committed to helping spread yoga to all. Want to join them in the Founding Circle and weigh in? We’d love to welcome you to what we’re building, together. Click here for more information.
* * *
My yoga practice is my life. I wouldn’t be who I am and where I am today without my practice, the teachings, and my teachers. I have been able to heal old wounds, stay sober, and grow my world from within. I consistently learn and discover more about myself, and in turn translate that into being able to learn more about those around me. I have had exponential growth in abundance, Spirit, and faith since diving deep into my practice a few years ago, and I know and feel my dharma is to continue to move forward gifting others the same gifts I have been given to be able to unite and raise the vibration of our planet and beyond. – Anand Avtar Kaur
I live yoga, I don’t practice yoga. – Stephanie Spence
My practice is important because it has help me through many chapters in my life where I could not be myself. I was in and out of yoga studios, or had a self-practice for years, and decided to be more consistent and take it further in 2019 to learn about it—not just do what im seeing in studio or from watching it. It made me feel great. My mind would calm and I was more relaxed. I had confidence, self-love, and awareness. I want to help others within the practice just like the practice has done for me so then I started to teach adults and kids. I’m committed to taking more trainings also for more continued growth and development. – Chantia Thompson
Practicing yoga keeps me balanced and living a more compassionate, empathetic, peaceful life. The Eight Limbs of yoga are my guide for living. When I encounter an issue in life, I try to figure out how I can resolve the issue using the tenets of yoga. I look closely at the information in the Gita and Sutras, such as how the kleshas create suffering. This helps me find balance and resolve life’s issues in a way that feels right to me. – Mary Irby
Practicing yoga keeps me grounded and has carried me through periods of trauma. I have also witnessed the power of the practice for people dealing with trauma and/or substance abuse. – Mike Huggins
It is my medicine for well-being, my offering to the world. Yoga has helped me heal everything from my childhood trauma, depression, anxiety, weight-loss, relationship problems. Yoga has helped me be a better mother, wife, and person. Yoga has allowed me to connect with my bliss. – Lisa Faremouth Weber
It helps keep me centered, and through teaching and practicing yoga, sound meditation, bhakti yoga, pranayama, and other modalities, I come closer to my true essence and help my clients do the same. – Johanna Beekman
Practicing yoga did nothing but make me feel more pain (7 years) until I found a guru who could help me understand yoga. That understanding brought an immediate change and ended 30 years of depression. I’ve now lived 12 years depression free. – Ramdas
Balance. The mat is a place to explore what’s really going on within me and around me. – Sigrid Strebe
As a semi-retired doctor who has used yoga to for personal healing for PTSD/chronic health conditions, I am pursuing teacher training to learn/implement therapeutic yoga modalities and mindfulness/meditation techniques to practice holistic health. – Piper Lillehoff
Yoga Unify wants to hear from you! For an opportunity to help create an organization that best serves you, join us in the Founding Circle. Click here for more information.