I personally became ill in 2016, shortly after completing graduate school. I was hospital bound on and off, and then bed bound/wheelchair bound. In 2017, I had both a chest port and an abdominal feeding tube surgically implanted into my body. I had a GJ, abdominal feeding tube for years. At the time, I could not tolerate even liquids orally. I vomited everything I ingested. On the recommendations
of many of my doctors I reluctantly tried meditation and Yoga Nidra (guided relaxation/meditation) initially at Mayo Clinic. While I still struggle daily with health challenges, I am so grateful to physically be able to teach chair yoga/meditation to other patients at a local hospital weekly, sober living homes, Senior living Centers and offer public online and in-person classes (part-time). Today, I am healthy enough to do so much more than I could have ever imagined, while bed-bound and on a feeding tube. I completed my 200 hour yoga teacher training certification, learning to teach meditation and yoga in 2020! I also simultaneously completed a Trauma-Informed yoga certification and a Yoga Nidra certification. My ultimate motivation is to help other patients, suffering as I have (and still do on symptomatic days) learn to better cope with their symptoms. I feel as if I have been given an incredible opportunity to help others that are suffering, discover the transformative benefits of yoga and meditation. The coping skills that I have learned throughout my own consistent meditation and yoga practice, are incredible, priceless, tools which I will carry with me the rest of my life, no matter the challenges that await ahead. I am incredibly grateful to be able to share the beauty of yoga and meditation with all of you! With Loving-Kindness! Allison
