TRANSITIONS AND YOGA
by Serena Davis
I’ve had two big turning points in my life. One was when I was a 32-year-old single mother, and very active alcoholic, who quit drinking. Drinking had been my relaxation method — not an effective one —as well as the substance that allowed me to push the feelings down and become the life of the party. Quitting had me uncomfortable in my body, unsure how to move with any grace, as I felt tight, mentally as well as in my body. I was uncomfortable in crowds suddenly. My introverted side took over. There was a new anxiety that I hadn’t expected. About 2 years later, I found myself very attracted to yoga. I was getting more comfortable in my body; the anxiety had lessened. I was meditating each morning. That had helped tremendously, but it was time to also move my body.
Yoga provided me a space of safety where I could close my eyes, be within and work my muscles and joints. I was able to find a deeper peace that moved me to learn more and more. I was looking into yoga philosophy and loving what I was hearing. Almost 10 years after I got sober, I took yoga teacher training and started on a new path. That path has taken me into so many new areas in my life and has brought me out of the shell that I enclosed around myself. I now teach yoga, am a Thai yoga massage practitioner and health coach. Life has taken a dramatic change over the years. But let me tell you about the 2nd big turning point.
This past March, I received a kidney from my cousin. I was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure 25 years ago and had come down to 5% function when I was given word that my cousin was a match for me. I had to go on dialysis, but kept teaching yoga until the very end. My years of discipline in the practice of yoga equipped me with strong muscles so I was able to keep up. I had kept very healthy, so the symptoms were very few.
After surgery, my body healed pretty quickly. I taught my first yoga class just 4 weeks after surgery. I wasn’t able to do a lot, but I could adequately demonstrate and had my loyal participants who motivated me, cared for me and kept me smiling. It was interesting to have them support me, just as I have always tried to support them. My yoga community helped me to heal, reminded me to take good care of myself and not push too much and was a constant source of love.
I’m been very fortunate, in my yoga journey, to have met such wonderful people, teachers and students alike. I learn from all of them, sometimes more than they learn from me, I’m sure. I’m so happy to have found this path for my life has helped in major ways, in my befores and afters.
Serena Davis
Yoga provided me a space of safety where I could close my eyes, be within and work my muscles and joints. I was able to find a deeper peace that moved me to learn more and more. I was looking into yoga philosophy and loving what I was hearing. Almost 10 years after I got sober, I took yoga teacher training and started on a new path. That path has taken me into so many new areas in my life and has brought me out of the shell that I enclosed around myself. I now teach yoga, am a Thai yoga massage practitioner and health coach. Life has taken a dramatic change over the years. But let me tell you about the 2nd big turning point.
This past March, I received a kidney from my cousin. I was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure 25 years ago and had come down to 5% function when I was given word that my cousin was a match for me. I had to go on dialysis, but kept teaching yoga until the very end. My years of discipline in the practice of yoga equipped me with strong muscles so I was able to keep up. I had kept very healthy, so the symptoms were very few.
After surgery, my body healed pretty quickly. I taught my first yoga class just 4 weeks after surgery. I wasn’t able to do a lot, but I could adequately demonstrate and had my loyal participants who motivated me, cared for me and kept me smiling. It was interesting to have them support me, just as I have always tried to support them. My yoga community helped me to heal, reminded me to take good care of myself and not push too much and was a constant source of love.
I’m been very fortunate, in my yoga journey, to have met such wonderful people, teachers and students alike. I learn from all of them, sometimes more than they learn from me, I’m sure. I’m so happy to have found this path for my life has helped in major ways, in my befores and afters.
Serena Davis