Author : Alycia Novak
Before I found PYC Leaside I was at my rock bottom. In February of 2018, I was in a car accident that left my brain and body broken. I was in pain. I was angry. I was lost.
The physiotherapy and doctors’ appointments were fixing my body, but I knew I needed to do something to reconnect with myself. Yoga has always been a part of my life, but I honestly don’t think I was ever doing it for the “right reason”
I went yoga classes just to be able to say “I am going to yoga” but would always beat myself for not having a “yoga body”, or not being able to make the poses look “perfect”. Something was telling me to get back on my mat. My only goal for my first class was to just get on my mat. I did it and haven’t looked back!
PYC Leaside was such an integral part of healing my mind, body and soul. I learned that yoga is NOT a competition sport. It is so much more than just looking good in the poses; or the idea that your body needs to look, or be a certain way to be a yogi. I don’t know if there is a time when I feel sexier or stronger than when I am on my mat covered in sweat. It makes me feel like a badass.
I have reconnected with my body in a whole different way. I am truly grateful for every day that I get to move and sweat and honour my body + soul. I am grateful for my health and continued healing every second of every day.
Not only have I been giving the gift of my health and being a part of this beautiful community, but it has also giving me the opportunity to connect on an even deeper level with my soul sister Lauren.
The PYC Leaside community with their love and support gives me permission to show up exactly how I am. No mask. No pretending. To have a safe place to come and be who you are, where you are in life and work it out on your mat is a game changer.
And if finding my home at PYC was a game changer, I know participating in their summer Yoga Teacher Training Intensive is going to change the game. Thank you PYC Leaside!