I felt a gaping internal hole, as a result of abruptly being disconnected from the physical, mental & spiritual teachings of yoga, as a result of my car accident & the resulting Critical Traumatic Brain Injury. Brain InjuMy supreme lack of memory (especially of the time directly before the accident) concealed all of my memories of the Sanctuary (mindfulness retreat) directly pre-accident, initially. Most predominantly, the points I learned at the Sanctuary (the severe TBI I incurred, makes this truth inevitable) still aren’t “known” to me. Though now, I’m happily learning ethical principals of yoga once again!
The Sanctuary retreat was far more devoted to facilitating the practice of introspection than the physical practice of yoga postures. The teachings we grappled with & discussed were fundamentally articulated in the Bhagavad Gita, but also have been expanded upon historically & are continuing to be presently as well. I’m overjoyed that this is becoming more commonly accepted & practiced- as mindfulness teachings are helpful for everyone!
Some memories of mine are being called forth now, when evoked by familiar things/practices (though I have no recollection as to why they’re familiar, which is in itself, a sign that my familiarity is from the Sanctuary!) that I observe/come in contact with. Some resurfacing memories are why I have stopped referring to the Sanctuary as “the yoga camp” and have begun referring to it far more correctly, as a retreat.
I filled my initial emptiness, in part, with the generous help and knowing of a past client of mine (Robin Rothenberg) in my home city of Seattle. Robin’s a family friend and respected yoga therapist to boot! Practicing with her (being reminded of posture’s intricacies) and witnessing the physical knowledge I still hold, has been incredibly enabling.
Presently, being apart of the online community: The Yoga Church, run by a student & now colleague of Robin Rothenberg’s, of Essential Yoga therapy: Summer Kushman, provides me with a resource for the ethical teachings of yoga. The yoga church also provides many recorded physical yoga practices, as well as a beautiful community of sharing practitioners. Robin Rothenberg was my initial physical yoga teacher amidst my recovery in Seattle). Summer, has & is complimenting my physical practice with the aforementioned mental & emotional lessons that I’ve been craving! A belief in the miraculous mystery of life is held and deeply revered by all participants.
Similarly to the Sanctuary, I get to meet with other participants (via zoom) to discuss & expand upon the points offered within texts we are reading (featuring the Bhagavad Gita). The Yoga Church fulfills my cognitive & spiritual desires that were left un-finished when I incurred my Severe TBI, and resultantly, left the Sanctuary.