When I started practicing hot yoga 6 years ago (2010), I was searching for more peace in my mind, body & life. I just changed from a “study & party” life, to a “working” life. It was a tough time. I didn’t know who I was, where I belonged, what made me happy. I used to party a lot, almost every weekend, using drugs to escape from daily life, or just to fit in when hanging out with friends. But at some point, I discovered this was not filling me; these habits only emptied my happiness and light inside. It was fake. I wasn’t being me!
When I practiced hot yoga, the light of me, inside of me, started to glow again. Faintly at first, and slowly, slowly, slowly, it became stronger. I felt the power. I felt more alive. I gained feelings of self-worth, step-by-step. I began seeing my body as a temple, something precious I needed to take care of. Why should I continue poisoning it? This didn’t happen in a day. I think it took 3 years after starting yoga that I completely quit bad habits. I was a smoker for 17 years. I used drugs for 6 years. Hot yoga helped heal my body from its desire for bad habits, and it also helped my thinking about what makes me happy.
I had a fine paying job at a Dutch bank, but it didn’t satisfy my needs anymore. My view of the world didn’t match the one of the company. My only highlight of the day was going to yoga class where I could be myself, clear my thoughts, cleanse my body. With my daily practice, I often thought: “What if, I could do just this the whole day? Being busy with yoga, talking about it, doing it, watching it, reading about it….?”
And then, one day, 5 years into working at the bank, I made a decision to quit my job and apply for teacher training to become a yoga teacher!
It was the best decision of my life (so far)! Since then I am much happier, enjoying my life and learning about the hidden treasures in my life!
My life now is much more exciting, adventurous and REAL!!! Yes, at least for now I can say: “I LOVE what I am doing, and I LOVE being ME!” I look forward to discovering more of myself in order to understand the rest of the world.
I am Lina. I am 32 years young, and I am happy on my yoga journey! Namaste.