Gwen’s Story
It all started when…
The first time I took a yoga class, I hated it. (And when I say “hate,” I mean I really hated it.) I couldn’t connect with my teacher; her cues didn’t resonate with me - and overall, I just didn’t get it. Sure, I understood the general benefits of exercise, but I just didn’t get all the fuss. It took a long time before I could appreciate yoga for the beautiful, spiritual, intuitive, and physical practice that it is - and for its incredible healing power that has transformed me into the person I am today: a calmer, healthier, more vibrant and joyful soul who appreciates, respects, and loves her whole self.
Reflecting back on my journey to date, it was filled with curveballs, peaks and valleys, all of which led to this very moment. While I was blessed with an amazing family, a privileged upbringing and incredible opportunities in life, my experiences were interwoven with feelings of not belonging, of being less than, of constantly having to prove myself, of having to do more in order to be someone …
Finally, the time came to take a hard look at myself, to evaluate my beliefs and behavioral patterns - and with that, to face my shadows and work through the pain. Once I learned to cut out all of the noise and connect with my spiritual self, these negative emotions faded. So, too, did the abusive relationships I had found myself in and the many illnesses I had struggled with over the years - from psoriatic arthritis to irritable bowel syndrome, general anxiety, nightly teeth grinding, and more. As Dr. Bernice King so eloquently said, “it takes hard work to do heart work” but once I peeled back those layers and got to the source, my whole world unfolded.
“The miraculous comes from the source of your awareness. If you tap into the source, your life will be wondrous.” ~ Deepak Chopra
I am not sure if I found yoga or if yoga found me, but it has been a tremendous blessing and an invaluable tool to finding calmness in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. In 2020, I took advantage of the shutdown during the global pandemic and pursued my 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (YRT) certification. It was the best investment I could have made, both in myself and for my loved ones. Thanks to my amazing mentors, teachers, and fellow yogis, I was officially Yoga Alliance certified in March 2021. While I continue to learn and grow as a teacher and as a person, I am excited to share the knowledge I have acquired to date. Yoga Veda is my offering to the world - an amalgamation of my life’s passion and experiences sprinkled with fun and inspiration along the way. My healing journey is far from over, but I am excited to share my insight with you and to foster connection, community, health and wellness in our Yoga Veda tribe.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Gwen