From Recovery to Connection: A Conversation on Yoga, Healing, and Authentic Voice

Question : In what ways did your 200-hour experience at Asheville Yoga Center shape how you show up today, both as a teacher and in your own recovery?

Answer: There really aren’t enough words for this, but I’ll try.

Every time I think about answering this, I get overwhelmed in a good way. Gratitude. Love. Fond memories. Continued growth physically, mentally, spiritually, in my faith, in my 12-step recovery, in my family relationships, and in my connection to community.

When I stepped into Asheville Yoga Center, I honestly expected to feel different and not fit in. I had preconceived ideas about Asheville, about yoga, about who belongs in a studio.

I’m pretty sure the first thing we did was sing. My first thought was, “What have I gotten myself into?” Then I sang. From the very first Om, I felt a vibration and connection with people who were not like me. It bridged gaps and broke down walls I had carried for a long time. I was overwhelmed with emotion and peace. I kept singing.

In 12-step recovery we say: keep coming back, don’t leave before the miracle happens, suit up and show up, follow directions, do the next right thing for the next right reason. Practice honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness.

I see so many similarities between recovery, faith, and yoga. Embracing similarities bridges gaps. Focusing on differences builds walls.

As a teacher, I’ve worn many hats. I taught swimming from age 15 to 30. I’ve taught canoeing, ropes courses, 4-H, Boy Scouts, and coached soccer. The most important teaching I’ve done is as a dad to my two boys, Logan and Reece.

I also had years where I taught people how to practice unhealthy habits, manipulation, dishonesty, and deception because that was what had been handed down to me. I didn’t know there was another way to live until I knew.

Learning to live clean, without drugs or alcohol, opened doors to teaching healthier ways to live. That ultimately brought me deeper into yoga. I am still new to teaching yoga, but I understand what it means to practice.

In both yoga and recovery, we say we keep what we have by giving it away.

Showing up authentically means this: I want to show up for you the same way I want you to show up for me.

I want to learn how I live. Not just talking about it, but walking it. Practicing the principles. Sharing what I’ve been given so we can all stay healthy together.

Yoga and recovery are about connection — with each other and with all of life.

There’s a line from a 12-step book I’ve read for over 17 years:

“Love can be the flow of life energy from one person to another. By caring and sharing and praying for others we become a part of them. Through empathy we allow them to become a part of us.”

It wasn’t until I found yoga, and later discovered Y12SR, that those words truly came alive for me.