The 3 breaths that changed everything....
- Claire
- Jul 2
- 3 min read
Hi there!
I’ve been thinking alot over the past week about how this work began for me. Have you ever had one of those moments that completely changes the direction of your life?
At the time you probably don’t even realise that it is an important moment but years later you look back and realise..."Ohhh...that was it - that was the moment that changed EVERYTHING."
For me, it happened in my Zumba Gold class in Alexandria (maybe some of you were even there!). It’s not exactly where you'd expect a Chair Yoga story to begin. 😂
I was teaching Zumba to a group of older adults and, at the end of class, I invited everyone to pause and take three slow breaths together. We just took three breaths, in and out.
And just at the end of that, something happened - the room felt quieter. I saw their shoulders soften and faces relax. It was like everyone exhaled a sigh of relief at the same time.
In that moment a little spark lit up inside of me…the movement we were sharing was wonderful and uplifting, and brought so much joy and laughter to their lives. But they were missing something that they were craving. These beautiful humans were carrying more than I realised…they needed something for their mind AND their body that could bring them relief, and allow them to exhale. Something that helped them feel at home in themselves again.
I didn’t even actually know what it was at the time, but I just knew they needed something else…so, I went on a search for that something!
Eventually I came across the Chair Yoga training - and immediately I felt that I had found it! This was exactly what was needed. And…also, a bonus for me that it would be a tax deductible trip to my favourite city at the time - New York (I may have had a slight obsession with NYC in my 20s & 30s!)
So, off I went on what was about to be the biggest life changing adventure of my life (who knew that at the time!). But getting on that plane literally changed everything. Not only because I discovered a practice that could transform the lives of others, but because it transformed me.
For many years I had wanted to take a Yoga teacher training but I felt like I didn’t fit the image of what a Yoga Teacher was “supposed” to be. Learning Chair Yoga gave me permission to be ME. And that exhale of relief that my class shared - I had one of those moments for myself! I literally breathed a sigh of relief!
Chair Yoga taught me that yoga could adapt to the person - and it didn’t have to be the other way around. That Yoga could be something that wasn’t scary, and didn’t have to hurt. But something that could hold people, and help them heal.
And that became the foundation of everything that came next.
I'm very grateful I listened to that little whisper all those years ago and had that desire to help my Zumba Gold students. That one moment has led me to some of the most meaningful experiences of my life.
And maybe there is a little reminder in that for all of us...
Pay attention to the things that light you up, and try to find ways to help others. Maybe there's something quietly calling you too. Maybe you have a little idea or a curiosity or you can hear a little whisper quietly calling you into something different.
Don't ignore those whispers. Sometimes they know where they're taking us long before we know where we are going!
Love Claire x
P.S. I am so incredibly grateful for all the beautiful messages you've been sending after my last email and on social media! I am getting back to you all one by one, but thankyou SOOOO much for all the support and encouraging words, I feel like you are all in this with me! Isn’t that how it works anyway? Communities evolve together. Can’t wait to see where this journey takes us!
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