Leigh Emrick
Inner Fire Yogi since ~2005
My yoga journey started in 2002 when I was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure, which resulted in early menopause. My body was in constant conflict with itself. Being in my mid-20's at the time, the medical and homeopathic community didn't really know how to handle this diagnosis with someone so young. Every day the internal struggle became more and more apparent.
My cousin, who is an acupuncturist, told me about Bikram Yoga (that was Inner Fire Yoga on University Ave), and encouraged me to give it a try. My first class was a 90 min Original Hot Yoga class with the 26 postures. I showed up wearing all cotton, loose clothing, and I thought to myself: “what the heck am I doing and why did I sign up for this?”
As my first class wrapped up and I was in the final savasana, my body finally felt a bit calmer. It was the only relief I had felt in months. I made the decision on my mat that day to start going to as many classes as I could. In time, I slowly felt my body calm down, stop fighting itself, and start releasing.
Throughout the years, I found myself ebbing and flowing in my practice due to a demanding work schedule in the construction industry. But when my schedule allowed for me to attend a class, I would attend as often as I could. My body felt an internal release that instinctively I knew I needed.
In 2015, I was in a car accident that took me away from yoga for a couple years. A dear friend who practices regularly encouraged me to return. She knew even though my body was not the same and I would show up differently, I would still get so much benefit from coming back. When I did return, it was a completely different experience. My body could not do what it did before, and it still can't. With the help of Karen and LiLi, I was able to find accommodations and additional stretches to help me focus on my injured areas. This taught me acceptance of my new normal of what it looks and feels like on the mat. This was what my body was craving and has greatly improved mobility for me.
Yoga is not just a physical practice for me. While I love the physical benefits that originally brought me to practice, it is something I use for meditation, clarity, to center myself and to be part of a community. The biggest lesson it has taught me is that we have to accept ourselves where we are. Every day, we have to accept how we show up on our mats. Our bodies will be different from day to day and it’s our job to accept this. I am so grateful for Karen and her classes, as she reminds us of this message regularly.