Bit by Bit (May 2023 Newsletter)
In early April of this year, I celebrated my one year “yoga-versary” at Yoga Well Being, and paused to reflect on the past year. I came to YWB as one tiny step toward wellness after 2+ years of professional and pandemic anxieties and minimal physical activities. I was a little bit broken, a lot overwhelmed, and I knew I needed some change but wasn’t sure where to begin. YWB was one of the first and only places I began going aside from home and work as we emerged from pandemic restrictions. Thursday nights in Sipra’s class I found moments of peace and of strength. At some point in every class, we share an affirmation out loud, “May I be happy. May I be healthy. May I be free of suffering and in a safe space. May they be happy. May they be healthy. May they be free of suffering and in a safe space.” At first, I found my fragile and dwindled energy pouring into the first portion of the affirmation: “May I be happy. May I be healthy. May I be free of suffering and in a safe space.” Over the course of the year, I discovered that in yoga, and in life, my “self reserves” were rebuilding, and, with great joy, I found that I could pour more energy into the second part of the affirmation each week: “May they be happy. May they be healthy. May they be free of suffering and in a safe space.” Moreover, I saw this transition in my day-to-day life. I gradually had the time and mental space to re-connect deeply and meaningfully with family and friends, and to care for those I love in ways that are core to who I am and who I want to be. I saw other changes in myself too. In August 2022, I joined and rode in the Pelotonia bike ride for the first time. In January 2023, I started regular cardio and strength training classes. I am physically and mentally stronger now than I have been in a very long time, and YWB is what catalyzed this change.
In 2022, I remember starting yoga with the vague idea that it could help grow my physical strength and flexibility. While this did occur, I have also grown in so many more ways including in resilience, mental strength, and connectedness with myself and others. YWB allowed me to come as I was, with no judgement, no pressure, no competition. My yoga classmates, now friends, came grappling with their own challenges and celebrating their own wins. I will forever be grateful for this yoga family who accepted me as is and built me back up. My journey will continue, and wherever you may be on yours, may you be happy; may you be healthy; may you be free of suffering and in a safe space.
Namaste,
Vanessa Hale
Vanessa on her very first day at Yoga Well Being (April 8, 2022), pictured with yoga instructor sipra. (This photo was coincidentally taken to share with a mutual friend.)
Vanessa Hale is an Assistant Professor at Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine who studies the microbiome and its role in health and disease. Outside of work, she lives with a very funny partner, Jeremy Hale, and 3 constantly shedding fur kids including a dog and 2 cats. Vanessa loves cooking, baking, hiking, travelling, and house plants.