YOGA AND ME
When I initially set out to experience Yoga it was as if I was a newborn child exploring his body for the first time. Observing my weaknesses and strengths and acknowledging shortcomings that I eventually overcame. In truth, the onset of my seeking out Yoga was to improve an adverse chronic health condition I had introduced into my physical structure. This condition is known medically as sciatica, and it was taking the lead role in my life becoming more painful day by day.
At this juncture in my life, I was an alcoholic who smoked cigarettes as well as marijuana, I was addicted to cocaine, and was taking medication for a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. Living this hazardous type of lifestyle began to reflect in numerous areas of my life. I knew I had to take the initiative to assert myself and become the man and father my family needed. This conclusion gave me the fuel to begin my journey of self-healing that imminently led to the journey of self-discovery.
I started on this path of healing by researching, studying, and applying different wholistic measures of natural healing; including altering my diet from an omnivorous to a vegan based diet, which took almost three years to transition into completely. I also introduced supplementation from vitamins and minerals into my diet that may have been depleted or weakened due to the toxic residue that I had allowed to accumulate in my blood and in essence my cells. Last yet definitely not least, I began meditating on a day-to-day basis. From my on perception, I sense that by slowing my thoughts within the respiration of breath, I acquired the intelligence to consciously participate with myself; and in doing so I became more aware of my actions and reactions that where not beneficial for myself or my environment.
In closing, becoming a certified black belt and instructor of Yoga and Tai Chi was not the goal I set out to accomplish, yet when I reflect and see the path behind me in contrast to the path I am on today as I now understand it to be a continuous infinite moment, I feel compelled through the love I have for myself and the love I’ve received from others, to gift back to my family, friends, community, and society as a whole what I’ve received. I feel with the addition of Yoga, Tai Chi, Chi Gung, Meditation, and being a Rei-Ki healer, I can effect change in the small corner of the planet I reside; seeing I know the cause that effected the change in me.
Elohee Habel-Kem Hetepu El-Bey