Manduka International Site

May 14th, 2012

Yogi Of The Week: Diane

This is Diane.

When Diane found out that she may be facing the end of her life, she learned what really mattered. Her family, friends and all the places where love existed. "Ultimately," she shared, "I’m pretty convinced that what matters most for 99% of the population is our relationships."

A cancer diagnosis brought Diane to the mat in new meaningful ways. With cancer comes vulnerability, and for a woman like Diane, who was used to being a source of strength and help for others, that can be the most challenging part. "When you have cancer, you get that opportunity to say, 'Okay, am I going to allow myself to be vulnerable, and let people help me?' But you come to this crossroads. And if you have cancer, you better let people help you! So you have to become vulnerable." She practiced letting go, and her most challenging pose, savansana, started to make sense. Then came the courage.

"It takes a lot of courage to run around without hair on your head. It takes a lot of courage to say, 'I’m scared out of my mind! And I might die.' But if you don’t do that, you’ve missed out." Now open, now accepting love, now healing in more ways than one.

Meeting Diane was a lightbulb moment: we need to meet you too. This is your community, and this is the YOU year. Manduka is on a mission to get to know everyone who makes this yoga community so vibrant, and so real. Because we all have something to learn from you — about how we see ourselves, or approach our practice, or make yoga mats.

Tell us a little about yourself on the You Series page: Manduka.com/You

Every week, we'll share the story of another real yogi. Maybe soon you'll see yourself here, or see something in yourself here.

Practice On.

--Manduka