Yoga Journal Conference: Yoga Heals
“How dare you let your insecurities get in the way of being your most authentic self.”
A few weekends ago I had the privilege of attending the Yoga Journal Conference in San Diego, and the great honor of expanding my practice and knowledge with some of the most amazing yoga teachers in the world. Much of the conference was themed around yoga and trauma, specifically working with veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. It's taken a few weeks to really wrap my head around some of the teachings, and I am sure I will be processing the information for a long time to come. Sometimes when you enter these settings with people you admire so much and those who have such a wealth of information you can start to shrink and feel like you don't know shit, but one of the lessons in it for me, among many, was that there are two ways to approach these times: feel insignificant and small or feel grateful and curious. I (mostly) chose the latter and am excited to share some highlights and learnings from my sometimes exciting, sometimes exhausting, often-times super emotional and healing (like floodgates opening up and teardrops falling all over my yoga mat) weekend.
One of the many highlights was the Warriors for Healing (W4H) event, led by Bhava Ram, journalist and former war correspondent. W4H held a premiere event and yoga practice on the lawn of the historic Hotel del Coronado to recognize and pay tribute to our veterans. W4H seeks to bring the healing powers of yoga to help our veterans battling PTSD. Surrounded by hundreds of vets, servicemen and women, and their families, this practice was stunningly beautiful and I feel humbled to have practiced alongside those who have selflessly given so much. To start the event, a number of veterans stood on stage and introduced themselves. Person after person proclaiming: "I'm John, Marine, and yoga saved my life... I'm Bob, Army, and yoga saved my life, I'm Mary, Navy, and yoga saved my life..." Yoga not only heals, it saves lives.
Here's a video of veteran Paul Damon singing his version of the song Hallelujah to close the event.
Below, some additional quotes from yoga teachers from the weekend. Enjoy and I'd love to hear your thoughts!
“I’m not interested in whether you can get your leg behind your head, I’m interested in whether you are willing to do the work to be your most authentic self.”
“Your job as a yoga teacher is to remind people of what they already know is true—your essence is love.”
“Vulnerability is the only place where healing can happen.”
“I rolled out my mat, took off my legs, and felt a connection with the earth for the first time in a decade.”
“The thing that scares you the most is the thing to step into.”
“We hold onto our experiences in our cells. Yoga gives us the tools to release this.”
“The dynamic matters more than what you know.”
“Laughter and stories are the great connector.”
Much love!