From darkness into light: how yoga saved my life.

Early years

My parents separated when I was about one year old. I never really experienced them together. For many years, I had no contact with my biological father.

My stepfather brought not only his alcohol addiction into his relationship with my mother, but also two children of his own. Together, they had two more. I was the only child who was not his — and he made sure I felt that.

I became the target of blame, humiliation and hatred.

“You can’t do anything. You are nothing. You will never become anything.”

Words that became deeply ingrained. Words that shaped my beliefs for a long time.

I was a quiet, well-adjusted child, always searching for love outside of myself.

A turning point

Then yoga came into my life.

I began training to become a yoga teacher — and for the first time, I truly met myself.

I found the courage to change my life. To stop remaining in the role of a victim.

I began to practise — yoga, meditation and mindfulness. I stopped drinking alcohol and paid more and more attention to my health. I followed my path with discipline, but from a place of genuine passion.

And then something happened that I could hardly believe: it was my first year without a depressive episode. That was years ago now, and yet it still moves me so deeply as I write this.

Yoga changed my life. Perhaps it even saved it.

I came to understand that change begins only when you truly want it. When you are ready to let go of identifying with your suffering.

That is not easy.