Beth’s Yoga Journey
My practice began when I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and a Rheumatoid Arthritis crossover in 1997. This experience of illness at an early age shaped my compassionate and mindful approach to movement and my Therapeutic Yoga Practice.
At the time, I was convinced that I was destined for a stationary life, void of the joy I had found in movement. Luckily, I had a friend taking a Yoga class who offered to show me some gentle, easily modified poses she thought might help get me moving. I was aware of Yoga as a form of exercise, but never really investigated the health benefits it had to offer. Sitting still all day, growing ever stiffer waiting for my medications to work, was only adding to my growing fear and depression, so I agreed to give Yoga a try…
More than 25 years have passed since that first initial step in my yoga journey. Today, I am an IAYT Certified Yoga Therapist and I mindfully manage my Lupus and R.A. with yoga, meditation and balanced living. I have been teaching Yoga for 15 years, using my M.A. in Education to lead 200hour Teacher Trainings for YogaWorks in Los Angeles. Currently, I am earning my A.A. in Science and studying Physical Therapy Assisting.
I attribute a large part of my recovery to my yoga practice. My teachers, including Jasmine Lieb (Yoga Therapy), Annie Carpenter (Vinyasa Flow), Lisa Walford (Iyengar Yoga), and my personal Mysore Ashtanga practice given to me by Maria Villella and Sonya Cottle have taught me so much about the complexity of our Eight-Limbed Path. I have been truly transformed by practicing the Eight Limbs and I am inspired to educate others about the amazing mental, physical and spiritual benefits a yoga practice can provide.