Why Yoga?

I had appreciated yoga for a few years prior to when I really, truly understood it's benefits. It was more of a fascination or infatuation even. But the turning point was in 2012, when my father was randomly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, followed by his passing only 3 months later. He was not a smoker, nor a drinker, and he hated drugs of any kind for that matter. After copious amounts of research, I discovered that the only true plausible cause for his horrendous disease was a lack of physical/mental health and proper nutrition. That's when my yoga practice/spirituality leveled-up. I had also dabbled with different religions in search of "the right one” throughout my life, and nothing ever quite added up. Yoga, and Teacher Training in particular, brought me closer to God than ever before. I feel like all my stress and anxiety from various traumas could have eaten me alive if I hadn't found my yoga practice. I think every person has the choice to accept traumatic experiences as either weapons to beat themselves down with, or tools to grow stronger and more powerful from. Not only do I care more about my well being now, but I make a conscious effort to LIVE in the moment. I have that nostalgic “those were the days” type feeling literally AS those memorable moments occur. It’s a beautiful thing. I chose to teach yoga because I want to help guide people into their most powerful, peaceful, spiritual, wholesome, and positive selves.