We recently connected with Stephanie Darnell and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Stephanie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We love heartwarming stories – do you have a heartwarming story from your career to share?
My story is very complex. I started my Yoga Teacher Training when I was 18-years-old. The training changed my life. I met my best friends and healed a lot. I received my 200-hour RYT certification in October 2012 and started teaching yoga at my college’s recreation center throughout my college career ( 4 years). When I graduated college, I worked a 9-5 desk job and only taught yoga 1x per week.
In March 2017, I started having trouble swallowing and facial numbness. After many doctor’s consultations, I finally got an MRI of my brain that showed two large masses in my brain stem.
After months in the hospital and a brain surgery, I left the hospital disabled, in a wheelchair. My first thought was “how can I teach yoga?” After lots of research, I finally found chair yoga and accessible yoga.
I decided to teach chair yoga because it’s something most people can do. I’m so glad there are options for every level of ability. Yoga isn’t a sport or gymnastics. A simple breathing practice is still considered yoga for some,
I have been teaching for ten years now. I didn’t let my life’s biggest setback stop me from what I love.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?
I love to guide my yoga clients through personal practices that work for their abilities. I also coach people who are going through hard tines with chronic health issues. I help people feel more comfortable and joyful in their bodies.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
Meeting people where they are. I would never ask someone to do a pose that is painful to them. I really listen to what you need and then craft your practice based on YOU and where you are.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
It has taken a long time for me to accept that I am no longer an able-bodied teacher,. Every day, getting out of bed is a display of resilience.
As far as physical resilience, I started practicing Aerial yoga to challenge myself. Aerial is challenging because I balance in the silks that are hung from a tall ceiling and I’m practicing poses that I can’t do on the ground. My body displays resilience when I do my own yoga practices,
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://stephanietheyogi.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.darnell.967
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neuroflowyoga
Image Credits
Laura McCarthy