I am a Survivor

by Liz Payne-Meredith

Who knew?! Not me, I was fine. Depression? Umm, looks like not being able to get out of bed, covers drawn tight, shades down. Anxiety? See that raving lunatic over there, pacing, blaming, and talkingamileaminute? That’s. Anxiety. Nope, not me, I’m good.

I never experienced those symptoms; was always able to function. Usually leapt out of bed, smiled at the day, got to work, and dealt appropriately. I didn’t exactly care for you, though, and I didn’t exactly like myself very much either, but no matter, I dealt. Had no idea how cattywampus my life was. How out of balance I was.

I graduated, worked, married; lost my dad in my 20s; life happens. The following years were full of travel, love, dogs, gardens, hikes, and beautiful knitting. But why was I always sort of stuck? And what was the baseline apathy that always nagged? When Daddio died they suggested desipramine, and it made us laugh when I called it “despair-amine” but it didn’t really help any.

Therapy helped and I held on. Until I didn’t. Real life got big and my ability to cope decreased in direct proportion. My fibs about feelings, abandonment, and fear whirled. Behaviors around relationships and food got goofy. Alcohol, drugs and dicey choices added excitement. Forward through heartbreaking divorce, self-destruction, meetings, rehab, relapse, meetings.

😊

I am a survivor. Pried open, I dug deep with honesty and engaged life with integrity. Embraced tools of transformation that brought me to breathwork, asana, kirtan, and fits of joy. My sense of wonder was revived! Friends, hikes, passions, relationships, health, peace, forgiveness, everything amplified.

Yep, I still scrap with depression and apathy; self-love is still a stickler. Amy Weintraub’s “I Am Bliss and So Are You” workshop called to me in 2016. (“Yeah, right”, I thought). But the tools I learned were accessible and quick. I kept at it and felt a shift. And then I’d stop. Our Tucson LFYP Training immersion made the difference. The week-long study intensified my curiosity and desire for bliss, and I’ve kept at it, on and off the mat. LifeForce Yoga tools have taught me to unfold and trust myself and stay connected.

Grief has defined my recent bout with life following intense caregiving and my mother’s departure. It’s lifting now, and I continue to practice because LifeForce Yoga works. I meet lethargy with our bellows breath practice to elevate any. My long-term go-to is our LFY bhavana practice. Each morning I float my arms out in front of my solar plexus (the seat of self-esteem!), envision calm strength, and draw it into my heart with the “so hummm” mantra. I am that and life is good.

About the Author

Rose Kress

Rose Kress ERYT-500, C-IAYT, YACEP, Owner/Director of the LifeForce Yoga Healing Institute, and author of Awakening Your Inner Radiance with LifeForce Yoga. She directs retreats and training programs on using LifeForce Yoga to manage your mood.

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What People Say

“This workshop has changed so much — my self-image and my life. My own heart’s desire is 100% clear. I gained tools to help myself and others to live life fully.” — Marcia Siegel, Yoga teacher, therapist, Carlsbad, CA.
“My personal practice will change, as well as my yoga classes. I have a better understanding of yoga!” — Andrea Gattuso, RYT, Yoga Teacher, Hackettstown, N.J.
“I have found the LFYP training to be incredibly useful in giving people specific tools to use in maintaining physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance, and further opening their intuitive abilities.” — Nancy Windheart, RYT-200, LFYP, Reiki Master, Animal communication teacher, Prescott, AZ
“I feel profoundly transformed, both physically and emotionally. The connection between mind, body and spirit was clearly evident to me, but revealed to me through this workshop as an integrally vital link to overall health.” — Nadine Richardson, program manager at rehab agency, Monroe, CT
“This workshop helped me rededicate my energies and begin to work through some of the blocks I’ve felt creatively.” — Steve Mark, college professor, New Haven, CT
“A client who returned said, "When I came before, you helped me understand and get where I wanted to go. Now you show me yoga practices I use to help myself understand and get where I want to go.” — Sherry Rubin, LCSW, BCD, LFYP, Downingtown, PA
“Words do not do justice to all that I learned. This workshop changed my life!” — Jen Nolan, Teacher, Cortland, NY
“Yoga Skills for Therapists is the ideal resource for those who want to bring yoga practices into psychotherapy or healthcare. Weintraub, a leader in the field of yoga therapy, offers evidence-based, easy-to-introduce strategies for managing anxiety, improving mood, and relieving suffering. Helpful clinical insights and case examples emphasize safety, trust, and skillful adaptation to the individual, making it easy to apply the wisdom of yoga effectively in the therapeutic context.” — Kelly McGonigal, PhD, author, Yoga for Pain Relief, Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Yoga Therapy
“My patients can now have the same effects as many medications without having to actually take medication!” — Deborah Lubetkin, PSY.D, LFYP, West Caldwell, NJ
“I have gained an incredible opening and clearing of old obstructions. I hope to return to my life and fill this opening with things I love to do and that give me joy!” — Lisa Shine, administrative assistant, Ballston Lake, NY
“I began a fantasy during the meditation exercise... almost as if I’d been there. It’s now an on-going work of fiction.” — Serian Strauss, Tanzania
“My life is already changed! I will use the tools I learned in my own practice and in my work. I feel safe and seen.” — Susan Andrea Weiner, MA, teacher/expressive arts facilitator, El Cerrito, CA.
“I have found the pranayama (breathing practices) especially easy to introduce in a clinical setting. Some people have benefited quickly in unexpected and transformative ways.” — Liz Brenner, LICSW, LFYP, Watertown, MA
I absolutely love this stuff! I have been using it with my clients and I am just finding it to be so incredibly helpful. There seriously something for everything. Although I am not as skilled as I hope to be someday, even at my level of training I’m finding that I am beginning to figure out what to do. It just blows my mind! - Christine Brudnicki, MS, LPC
“I have gained a softer heart, more receptive mind, and tools to enrich both personal and professional aspects of my life.” – Regina Trailweaver, LICSW, clinical social worker, Hancock, VT.
“I utilize the LFY techniques in both a class room setting and one-on-one environment. The skills have infused my teachings with compassion, mindfulness, and awareness.” — Kat Larsen, CYT, LFYP
“I integrate strategies like mantra tones and pranayama, but above all I invite myself and those I teach to cultivate svadhyaya, to practice self-observation without judgment.” — Barbara Sherman, RYT 200, LFYP, Tucson, AZ
“I learned lots of ways to reduce the anxiety and depression of my patients and myself.” – Aviva Sinvany-Nubel, PhD, APN, CNSC, RN, psychotherapist, Bridgewater, N.J.
“I came hoping to learn to move past some of the obstacles blocking my creativity. Over the course of this weekend, I feel I’ve gained a certain measure of faith in myself and in my ability to change. I also had some realizations that I believe will be very helpful to me. I feel encouraged. Both the content and presentation of this program were so well-thought out that I can’t think of any way to improve it.” — Andrea Gollin, writer & editor, Miami, FL
“I gained tools for working with my own depression and with my clients’ depressions.” — Robert Sgona, LCSW, RYT, psychotherapist, Yoga teacher, Camden, ME.
“Giving my clients a strategy and permission to quiet their minds and rebalance the sympathetic nervous system has been very beneficial to them and in our work together.” — Sue Dilsworth, PhD, RYT 200, LFYP, Allendale, MI
“I gained perspective of who I am in the world and this will change my life significantly.” — Mary Ford, artist, Southport, CT
“This program changed my life in a significant way. It helped me connect with the spirit which is something you can’t get from psychotherapy and medication.” – G. W., artist, Pittsburgh, PA
“I have been reminded that I am not on this path alone, that others are sharing the journey that sometimes seems so difficult. I have also been reminded of the importance of daily practice and I will do that. The whole program has been an incredible experience for me. Thank you!” — Lorraine Plauth, retired teacher, Voorheesville, NY
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