More Yoga

Toni was a driven athlete - runner, skier, mountain biker - who pushed her body hard. Over time, damage accumulated, first in her knees, followed by a back injury. This lead to limitations - no more high impact, no more mountain biking. It was a story I had heard from other athletes as well - how injuries lead to a period of despair and loss of identity. Toni first came to Yoga because it was about the only thing left that she could try.

Yoga was a turning point. Her physical gifts met with an expanding awareness. The constant drive to excel at the expense of her body gave way to acceptance of the new reality. Challenged by her teacher, she let go of her frustration at not being able to perfect a particular Asana, and discovered that her practice was her own, not about meeting someone else's standard. That understanding was so freeing, it was then she thought 'I want to teach this!'

That's a simplified outline of one transition in her life which took place years ago. I feel this story, even in it's bare bones, says a lot about the potential for loss to be a teacher.

I think about people I know who were already so injured by the end of high school from football or basketball that they gave up on all forms of exercise and athletics after that. Toni found a way back.

toni teaching
her website

Labour is blossoming or dancing where
The body is not bruised to pleasure soul
W.B.Yeats