Disability, Yoga, and Transformation

Abstract

Life-threatening illness throws many survivors into chaos, dramatically altering and affecting their lives. They are physically and mentally forced out of their daily living routine to figure out other ways of doing things. Everything around them is falling apart. They feel cut off—physically and mentally isolated—without having any sense of belonging. The situation, however, does not have to remain tragic. Disability and illness can teach us about ourselves.The methods of Yoga provide opportunities for this transformation. Yoga teaches survivors how to live through a physical and emotional crisis. It offers a practical method for working with their bodies and their minds. In this journey a new consciousness can develop and then tragedy can transform itself. This process will eventually lead survivors from a confusing state to a clear understanding of all elements of their lives. Persons of disability will then see themselves as whole and healthy human beings.Here is how, as a stroke survivor, Yoga transformed me.