Yoga has been a multifaceted part of my life – a form of exercise, a discipline, a sanctuary, and a mentor. It offered me space to connect with my body and discover a sense of tranquility in simply being. I would enter a yoga class overwhelmed by a torrent of thoughts and worries, only to leave with my mind at ease. The concept of allowing myself to relax was entirely new to me.
Yet, more than anything, yoga has been my remedy. The practice aided me in healing my spine and addressing the unseen traumas that affected my body, mind, and spirit. As my yoga journey progressed, it evolved from a physical regimen to a medium for emotional and spiritual growth.
Here are the insights I gained throughout this journey: insights that might also assist you in discovering healing through your practice.
Understanding Trauma Within the Body
I grew up with traumas that left profound marks on both my mind and body. In my teenage years, scoliosis deformed my spine, creating an uneven curve, while the unspoken stresses from my family life made me feel tense, anxious, and burdened by responsibilities.
Initially, yoga was merely a form of exercise – a way to stretch and ease discomfort. However, I was subconsciously seeking something deeper: a pathway to reconcile with a body that felt fractured and a life that felt overwhelmingly heavy.
Insight 1: Tune into your body.
Discomfort and tension are not arbitrary; they are signals from the body. Begin by identifying areas of tightness or instability and ask yourself: What message is my body conveying?
Taking Initial Steps
Yoga provided me with physical relief. Stretching my hamstrings alleviated pressure on my lower back, while gentle backbends brought openness to tight areas. I approached it as a form of physical therapy, and it proved effective.
However, I soon recognized something more profound. Each session, my breath became steadier, my nervous system calmed, and I felt less compelled to control every aspect of my life. Yoga was teaching me beyond the physical realm; it was instructing me on the art of surrender.
Insight 2: Begin with the body, but pay attention to the breath.
Even if you start yoga as a workout, let your breath be your guide. Healing truly commences with the connection between breath and body.
Beyond the Physical Dimensions
As I delved deeper into my practice, I began noticing its reflection in my life. On the mat, I often pushed myself too hard in pursuit of perfection. Off the mat, I mirrored this behavior by seeking to please others and neglecting my own needs.
Yoga encouraged me to soften where I was rigid and strengthen areas where I felt weak. This dynamic paralleled my scoliosis and emotional landscape. The goal was not self-perfection, but rather to embrace myself in my entirety.
Insight 3: Use the mat as a reflection.
Observe your habits during practice. Do you exert too much effort? Do you collapse under pressure? The mat serves as a secure space to explore new ways of being.
Discovering Balance and Comfort
When I began teaching, my aim wasn’t solely to assist others; it was also about reinforcing lessons I was learning myself. Each time I guided a student towards steadiness and ease, I was also reminding myself of that same truth.
As a physical therapist, I discovered that back pain isn’t merely a physical issue. It reflects our posture in life—either too rigid or overly yielding. Yoga provides a pathway to restore equilibrium.
Insight 4: Share what you need to learn.
Even in casual settings, communicate your healing insights. Teaching, mentoring, or simply sharing your experiences reinforces the lessons you need the most.
Embracing Silence, Space, and Growth
Some of my most profound transformations occurred in the desert. Alone amidst the vast silence and sky, I relinquished sequences and rules. I moved instinctively – sometimes with flow, sometimes in stillness, occasionally just lying on the ground and focusing on my breath.
In that expansive space, I realized yoga was no longer just about postures. It was about liberation, presence, and wholeness, scars and crooked spines included.
Starting my practice in Tadasana (mountain pose), I became aware of the solid ground beneath my feet. The earth below and the vast desert ahead were resources I could tap into, guiding me from my analytical mind to my body and the present moment.
Insight 5: Allow space for free movement.
Occasionally, release the structure. Move intuitively, letting your body guide you. This is where yoga transcends healing and enters the realm of liberation.
Healing as a Journey of Full Living
Today, yoga continues to be my cornerstone. My simple mantra is: Please reveal my dharma (purpose) to me and grant me the strength to realize it.
Balance and ease. Strength and gentleness. Stability and liberation – these traits aren’t limited to postures but extend to every aspect of life. Healing isn’t about erasing the past or achieving perfection in the body. It’s about embracing life as it is and trusting the wisdom that arises from balancing discipline with grace. It’s about transitioning from being traumatized to becoming resilient, from rigidity to fluidity, from feeling broken to embracing wholeness, and living this narrative daily, on and off the mat.
About the Author
Rachel Krentzman PT, C-IAYT, MBA is a dedicated yoga and physical therapist, along with being a certified Hakomi psychotherapist. She was born in Montreal into an Orthodox Jewish family, navigating through the trauma of her rabbi father’s arrest, eventually shedding her rigid upbringing and seeking her true self. Rachel focuses on personal healing through somatic, body-oriented psychotherapy and yoga therapy. Dealing with scoliosis and damaged discs, she developed a robust therapy that assists countless students and patients globally.
Residing in Israel with her husband, son, and two dogs, Rachel has authored several books on yoga, including Scoliosis, Yoga Therapy, and the Art of Letting Go (2016). Her latest release is As Is: A Memoir on Healing the Past Through Yoga. Discover more at happybackyoga.com.
