A new beginning
About 15 years ago, I decided it was time for me to become a divemaster and scuba instructor. I loved the ocean and had grown up watching Jacques-Yves Cousteau roaming the oceans aboard the Calypso. After coming back from Nepal I was diagnosed with asthma. I went to see a doctor specialized in diving who told me that even if I was able to dive, I should not risk the lives of people I would have to accompany. My condition being borderline I recently went to see another specialist who confirmed the risks to myself and others.
At around the same time, I was entertaining the idea of becoming a yoga teacher. I had undergone some training in Nepal, my father had been a yoga teacher, and it fitted my interest in helping others. Both my father and mother had been Red-Cross instructors and my father, a nurse in the army. I was also a volunteer first responder in my teenage years and loved anything having to do with medical care.
Unfortunately, my essential tremor got worse and I decided that teaching yoga with shaking hands might send the wrong message. That was dream two I thought I would have to give up.
Last month, I joined a support group for people with disorder movements. ET, Parkinson’s, old age, trauma, there are a number of ways you can loose your balance or steadiness. Two major things happened: I found out that many members had it much worse than me. It put things in perspective. How could I feel sorry about myself? This renewed my determination of finding ways to help others. The other was a chance meeting with Jacob, a yoga teacher living in South-East Asia. He helped me realize that my own experience with ET would be a bonus if I chose to teach yoga. He himself has ET. The week after, I registered for a 200 hours yoga teacher training and certificate in addition to a 200 hours meditation teacher course, chair yoga teacher and restorative yoga teacher training. I should have finished my training and projects and more by the end of Spring in 2022.
I will specialize in helping people with movements disorders, the elderly and those who a traumatic experience. No “slimming yoga” for me!
I think moving to Toride and being closer to nature played a role in my decision along with the understanding that comes with age that life time is not to be wasted in search of material wealth. I had also the chance to start Zen meditation with a French monk. This experience opened new windows. Last but not least, I need to mention a great friend’s positive influence. Without it, I would not have been able to challenge myself so drastically, to discover and accept other ways of thinking and to regain part of the power of curiosity and positiveness I had as a child.
I will post more about this journey in the months to come. I feel grateful for the life and opportunities I am given. As my teacher says, you cannot give from an empty cup. I think my cup has started to fill up with a cocktail of love, happiness and peace of mind.
Category: Health, Outdoor and Fitness, Uncategorized
