First of all, for those of you who may not know, I work as a clinical therapist at a nonprofit called St. Martin’s Hopeworks in Albuquerque, NM. They serve individuals with severe mental illnesses who are also experiencing homelessness. I’m always looking for new tools to empower clients and facilitate the healing process. As a result, through my self-care endeavors, I found something I’m excited to integrate into therapy.

Last March, I started practicing yoga to nurture my body and mind. I appreciate that yoga is this never-ending journey that meets people wherever they’re at. I initially began practicing out of self-care. But as time went on, I realized how it transformed my entire approach to myself and others. I teach my clients self-compassion, but I have always struggled to embody it. Yoga has taught me how to love my body and be grateful for the endless ways it sustains and keeps me alive.

For the first time in my life, I can honestly say that I feel comfortable in my own skin. I no longer starve or harm myself. Instead, I extend the same grace and tenderness towards myself that I try to offer all other living things. Yoga has mended my relationship with myself, and through that process of restoration, enabled me to love and serve others more authentically and wholeheartedly.

I serve individuals who will likely never set foot in a yoga studio primarily due to lack of access. Most of them have directly experienced humanity’s capacity for evil and darkness. Because of this, many suffer from debilitating anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress among other things.

However, there is growing research on the efficacy of yoga as a treatment for PTSD. As a therapist who primarily works with individuals impacted by trauma, that is incredibly heartening. The mind and body cannot be treated separately as trauma impacts both.

Therefore, if this is something you’d like to help sponsor, 100% of the proceeds from any purchase you make will be going directly towards a 200-hour training at SWEAT, the yoga studio at which I practice. Thank you for your support!