My Story
What led me to the practice of yoga?
I was introduced to the practice of yoga in the year 2015 by a cognitive therapist named Merrill Black. Since the age of 6, I have lived with Trichotillomania, a Body Focused Repetitive Behavior(BFRB), that causes me to pull out my eyelashes and eyebrows. I had been seeing Merrill for years and she would guide me towards meditations and natural relaxation techniques in order to enhance my body awareness and calm my physical triggers. Once she opened The Temperance Center, located in Eastchester, NY, she made it a haven for those who have this behavior and invited other services in such as Reiki and Hatha Yoga. The yoga class was led by a wonderful women, Diane Graziosa, who was one of the inspirations that led me to my Yoga Teacher Training. I Went to this class every Tuesday and learned techniques, body awareness, body movements and it left me with a greater since of confidence.
The practice itself helped regulation my nervous system, which resulted in my physical triggers of pulling my hair out being calmed as well. Although I still struggle to this day with this disorder, my triggers are more calm than they ever have been. Using yoga to manage this behavior has been life changing. This behavior something that has a huge impact on my day to day as it steals time, confidence and control away from my life. There is also a level a shame and self blame that comes along with it. Using yoga to bring back my body awareness allows me to mange it in a way that gives me back time and energy and I am able to put that into more positive things for myself.
Once I saw how yoga can greatly impact my daily struggles In a positive way, I wanted to share this with others. I received my 200 hour Teaching Training certificate In 2018 and now I am in the process of completing my full 500 Hour Teacher Training. I hope to eventually work with those like me and get involved in the BFRB community to be an active supporter for others along their life journey.