I’m closing the year on a high note. What a ride it has been… Stormy, unpredictable, and wild… Full of challenges and surprises, but so transformational that for the first time in my life I was able to stand into my truth and reclaim my power. I went through thick and thin, emotionally and physically. Almost dropped the towel a couple of times, but still found the courage to withstand the odds. To step up to my desires and find out which were my own, and which were borrowed.

Stepping into my own personal power took guts and conviction; trust and patience.  It felt like relearning how to walk, how to speak, how to communicate – first and foremost with myself. I had to learn how to own how I felt. To unearth all I had buried and avoided inside for years. To bring it to the surface, and confront it. I realized how much I had let my brain decide what to do, not my heart. My brain had colonized my body. I had become tyrant to myself.

So I had a mission this year – to set myself free. Free of the dictates of the mind that always pushed me to fight upstream, to overachieve. So much pressure of having to do things one way, or the another. Until I burned out, and broke down. The mental depression and physical malaise were so bad that I literally lost hope of ever bouncing back.

What brought me back to my feet was my breathing and meditation practice. I usually never skip my morning prayer, but when I am down I have no desire to meditate whatsoever. It’s like a blessings and a curse. Once I resumed daily evening breathing and meditation my mood lifted in literally a week. I solidified my practice, resumed journaling and in two weeks got back on track. And not only… I felt more motivated and invigorated. I tapped some inner power that I had never experienced before.

My heart instantly opened, my mind was no longer pressuring me, but was my best buddy, my friend. It was no longer a filter or a veil, but a silent witness, a mirror. In that mirror I could see the most empowered and upbeat version of myself. That self had so much love, so much compassion, so much gratitude, so much curiosity and so much confidence. I had felt what deep sadness and total despair was, and how despite my anguish someone somewhere had it worse. And I had to bring back the hope and find the strength to still be grateful.

I was quite surprised how in the midst of the turmoil and heartache, I found the strength and the love to pray for those who needed it more than me. I found the power to forgive and embrace everything that I had endured with a smile and appreciation.

It is just astounding how powerful and resilient all human are. We all have the potential to transform ourselves. We can only access this state of grounded-ness with equanimity and acceptance. When we stand in the center of our truth. There we can claim back our power.

Empowering Yoga Breathing: Step Into Your Power

This breathing practice couples energizing and revitalizing breathing and mudra practices to lift up your mood and revivify your body – so you can tap your inner strength, and regain your power.