Veteran NSV - bringing yoga to Houston.

[Pookeyism 1,143]

So what have I been up to for the last year or so?

Well, I have not been on here as much as I intended to, and I miss it!

To provide a brief back story, my mother passed away a week after I was sleeved (1/4/2012) and it was devastating. As the year progressed I tried to cope and put it behind me, and I think I did to an extent. However, to an equal extent I did not cope with my Mother's passing as much as tuck it away. That always ends well right?

The winter/spring of '12/'13 found me at a loss to describe the constant feeling of something lacking. I questioned everything (except my marriage). I never gave up yoga, I have been doing it for over 20 years. The weight loss I realized had allowed my body to handle "hot yoga". I was well aware of the benefits but at my original size I could not handle the heat. Now I could. For the first time I felt confident enough to not just be a heavy person in a room full of thin people doing yoga. I participated, I was an asset, it left me open to feelings and I finally began to cope. Fast forward a year and I have got my hours in as an assistant yogi and working at my favorite studio, and preparing to take teacher training in the spring. Then I dislocate my shoulder. I gained some weight back. Somewhere between 15-20 lbs. I also missed my training, (I will eventually take it!) The shoulder was a bit more serious than we originally thought and it takes months to get anywhere near normal again (I am still limited in mobility).

So back to modified yoga with an emphasis on my arm, and to cure the boredom I began to visit old familiar types of yoga, and newer ideas. Then something wonderful happened!!!! I stumbled upon a lady who has been a yogi for over forty years, and she created a yoga program that is designed for heavier people, the heaviest people, too. The bedridden, even. The modifications are the norm, it is done in little or no heat, the yogi is reminded they can reach down and move their gut. There is much more than that, and it makes yoga available to everyone, you walk into a space created by people just like them, and they are all able to progress and respond coming from a familiar place.

It has always been my desire to get yoga out to everyone who wants to try it. To make it available that as long as they have their breath, they have yoga. I work with amputees, children, and neighbors that don't have time to get to a studio. Now I get to expand on that.

So I am bringing it to Houston, and I am so excited!!! I cannot say I feel lucky - I feel blessed, I feel grace, I have been placed in a position to be the steward of something I feel very positive about, truly being able to be of service.

So for me that is the biggest NSV, possibly ever.

[Pookeyism 1,143]

How many carbs are you getting daily? Are they from supplements?

[Tate777 84]

That is absolutely wonderful! I have been practicing Bikram yoga for 15 months--- it has been life changing. I think what you are doing is lovely!!

[JCP 619]

I am so sorry to hear about your mom. That is a blow that changes you forever. There is no way to express how it changes you.

But isn't life amazing? Here you are starting a new chapter, doing what you love, and giving a gift to others. I'll bet your mom is very proud.

I did yoga MANY years ago and loved it but years passed and I grew depressed and large. Where will you practice in Houston? Do you have a web page? I am close to Sugar Land.