Hello, Elephants! This is my first post here!

And right away I’m going to tell you some personal stuff because it’s important, and very often I find that other people share similar observations, so in the end I find that “personal” details aren’t so personal after all… I’m not alone. (Hello?)

Over the last several years I have been going through a HUGE transition. I got hooked on Yoga. Left a steady boyfriend (married without a marriage.). Changed career: started teaching Yoga. Changed apartment three times. I lost key family members to death that connected me to my sense of biological family. So if I’ve been crazy, go figure!

Right in the middle of all this I decided for the first time in my life to look openly at myself about my mental health. Seeing a flyer at Chicago Yoga Center that read, “Yoga For Depression” seemed to be a good place for me to start do that. The weekend workshop led by Amy Weintraub gave me just a taste, and enough permission to look inward in this way. After that weekend I realized that I wanted (needed?) more!

So I went to Kripalu to do Amy’s week long training just a month or two later. This training definitely offered me some help, and some of the things I learned there have stayed in my yoga practice until today.

The thing is, when I saw that the training was going to be held at Kripalu I knew I was safe. I was wanting to look at some sensitive subject matter for me, and I knew that I’d be okay there. I had been there. I love the hot tub and the opportunity to hike the Berkshires during program breaks. I value the meditation room. And I like that there is a general respect for Yoga that permeates all the details there.

I find that Kripalu, itself, is a healing balm for me. I love going there! When students ask ask me about a place to go on a yoga retreat, I recommend Kripalu.

What Kripalu has given me again and again are experiences and tools to help me find myself. The best gift! The one my body was made for becomes more easily discernable when I’m there (you know: the inner “me”).

By the way, I saw the flowers in the above picture at Whole Foods the other day and thought they were named just for me: I am your “Sweet Unique”. Let’s exchange some thoughts in the “Comments” below! And feel free to visit my blog, Yogic Muse, for more yogic inspirations.