We were lucky to catch up with Ericka Avila recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ericka, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

No one will every truly know your heart, pain, past or desires. I say this to YOU with the fire that burns in my soul “Seek what YOU wish to experience in this life”.

Fear is an option, courage is an option, giving up is an option, persevering is an option! I was raised by parents who did not complete their high school education. Statistically, I should not be successful. If it wasn’t for this fire in my soul or desiring to know more, I would have been recycled back into my environment. However, I choose to fight. I choose to seek, I choose to be courageous and preserver.

I barley graduated high school. It was because of one teacher, Mr. Griffin, that passed me after a deep conversation that he believed I was capable of more. His words fueled my fire. It was not easy. I had to go to 3 different community colleges to finally finish my associates. I then transferred over to Arizona State University. I graduated and pursued my career in healthcare. Every choice was hard and a risk as my past kept making it easy and convenient to be recycled back in. Why fight?

I had two additional sets of eyes looking at me. My precious children, that I raised solely. They became my fuel. I continue to fight and improve myself everyday with tools that I have sought to use. Becoming a member the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has helped me immensely. My faith has lead me to discover teachings that has built me to be a caring person in my community, a strong and nurturing mother and a courageous and faithful woman.

If we do not fight and sacrifice for the person we desire to become, then the person we desire to become will become the sacrifice.

I am now the Founder of Return to Yourself Wellness, Author of Pause, Shift and Refresh – The Seven Arts of Establishing Harmonious Oneness, BECOMING 2.3 and Aztec Sound and Ceremony Facilitation. I am a License Community Health Worker supporting our seniors in our communities.

Ericka, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I began my career as a Physical Therapist Technician and felt there was a missing component in the recovering of my patients. At this same time of receiving this prompting to explore other modalities I was reintroduced to yoga and meditation thanks to the practices of Dr. Deepak Chopra. You can learn about this journey by purchasing my book called Pause, Shift and Refresh – The Seven Arts of Establishing Harmonious Oneness.

From this journey I learned that breathing correctly is the pathway in how we perceive our emotional and physical experiences. Coaching my patients on breathing prior to exercises or learning a new concept on processing improved the outcome of care.

One of the most rewarding endeavors I pursued was raising money for stroke survivors to go to stroke camp. I won the Marreel Award for my efforts.

My company Return to Yourself Wellness provides individuals and corporations to hire me for private and group session of yoga, meditation, sound healing or leaning about wellness concepts.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

If I could go back I would have pursed my career as a physician assistant. There is more credibility and respect. Having an undergraduate in Health Science was still a blessing and opened many doors for me. However, I would have loved to become a physician assistant. I would have still gone to Chopra University and pursued all that I have done with their loving guidance. Graduating from Chopra University was a dream come true as well as being able to teach for Dr. Deepak Chopra’s retreats.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Yes, there are many. Listen to any of Dr. Deepak Chopra’s Meditations. Read or listen to any of the works for Dr. Wayne Dyer, Louis Hay, Watch the Secret. Most of all becoming a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints was the most empowering and healing experiences.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ReturnToYourself.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/return_to_yourself_wellness/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericka-brian/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ7758Y8AwM

Image Credits

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