2009 -- Turning 50

In April 2009 I turned 50.  Life was good.  I was happily married.  I had my own acupuncture business (Ancient Arts Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine).  I had 2 wonderful children both married to great people, and 2 healthy, happy step sons.   I had 2 wonderful grandchildren (now have 4 plus 1 step grandchild).  A wonderful home and a good life.

However, being busy with my family, home and business, I had stopped taking time for myself.  I had gained weight.   I had lost contact with my spiritual life and because I had run for many years, and grew up riding horses daily (even a few bulls!), I had a lot of stiffness and lack of flexibility.

It was then that my yoga journey began.  I had practiced yoga on and off a few times throughout my life, most recently before now when I was in Oriental Medicine School in the early 2000s. Back then I did mostly Kundalini Yoga and occasional Hatha Yoga.  Every time I went to class I would remember my mom telling me as a child that I should be a yogi.  (Maybe because I use to sit around the house with my legs behind my head or possibly the fact that when she asked me how to fall asleep so quickly I would tell her it's easy, you just let your mind go blank.).   However, back then I found myself unable to stay challenged with yoga.  Perhaps it was just the style of yoga or how it was taught at that time.  A few years later a dear friend asked me to go to a yoga class with her and I said no, that I really didn't like yoga.

But my mind was changed when I went to the doctor that year.  I was a little overweight.  I had high cholesterol (runs in my family) and some pre-cancer issues.  I decided that day I had to change my life.  Before that I ate OK, but not good enough.  I ran several times per week but not enough.

I was now 50, I wanted to be the best I could be for my kids and grandkids.  And, I wanted to be the best I could be for myself.  It was time for a change.  Yoga!

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