A New Beginning starts here
Four months ago, when I joined the "Sisters in yoga" program, I was a shadow of myself. I had just finished my military service, carrying a heavy load of memories, anxiety, and sleepless nights. PTSD followed me like a shadow, constantly reminding me that I wasn’t truly free. The noise in my head never stopped, my body was tense, and the more I tried to suppress it, the more the pain intensified. I felt disconnected from the world, from the people around me, and most importantly, from myself.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I decided to join the program. Honestly, I arrived with skepticism. Yoga and meditation seemed like something that might work for others, but for me? I didn’t believe it would make a difference. I was used to suppressing, dealing with things on my own, not feeling too much. The experiences I had in the army left me with internal scars, and the idea of being alone with myself during meditation terrified me.
The First Weeks – Meeting Myself Again
At first, it was hard. Sitting in silence with myself, breathing, being present – all of this felt foreign. My body ached, my thoughts raced relentlessly, and each breath brought up emotions I had buried for years. But something in the simplicity of the practice, in the quietness of the environment, and in the people who were with me allowed me to slowly let go. For the first time in a long while, I allowed myself to stop and listen inwardly.
I learned to listen to my body, to honor it. Suddenly, I realized how many years I hadn’t truly let it be. Through the physical practices and breathwork, I began to feel. Not just the pain – but also the aliveness beneath it. Each passing day brought a new challenge, but also a small victory. I started to feel a little more stable, a little more able to breathe without my chest tightening from anxiety.
The Middle – The Place Where Magic Happens
After about a month, I realized I was beginning to change. The fears that used to attack me at night weren’t as intense. My breath helped me regulate my emotions, and suddenly, I could see myself not just as someone who had been hurt, but as someone who had the power to heal herself. Each morning, I found encouragement in the words of the instructors, in the shared practices, and in the special community that surrounded me.
I found confidence on the yoga mat, peace in meditation, and hope in the people around me. I wasn’t alone. We were all there with our stories, our pain, and, most importantly, with the desire to choose life. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I belonged. I felt understood. I experienced moments of true relief, of spontaneous laughter, and of renewed connection to myself.
Today – There is Light at the End of the Tunnel
I’m not saying that the PTSD is gone. It’s a part of me, and it will probably always be there. But today, I know how to cope with it. I know that my breath is my anchor, that my movement is an expression of life, and that I am not a victim of what I’ve been through – but a strong woman who continues to move forward.
I wake up in the mornings with a sense of gratitude, rather than fear. I allow myself to feel joy instead of clinging to pain. Today, I understand that what I’ve been through doesn’t define me – it only strengthens me. The "Yoga Brothers and Sisters" program didn’t just give me tools – it gave me a home, a community, and a new family of people who truly understand me. It taught me that pain doesn’t define me, and that I have the power to choose – every day – to be kind to myself.
If you’re out there, feeling lost, feeling like your past is holding you back – I want you to know that there’s another way. The path isn’t easy, but it is possible. I’m here to tell you – there is hope, and there is light at the end of the tunnel.
All it takes is one deep breath, and one small step forward. Sometimes, that’s the only difference between staying stuck and rediscovering the light within you.
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