Teresa Robinson

I found yoga at a time when I needed it most. It was the end of 2014, and I was going through one of the most difficult times in my life. My father had passed away earlier that year, and my marriage was on the brink of divorce. I was dealing with a lot of grief, anger, depression, sadness, and anxiety, and didn’t know how to move past or through any of it. I was at rock bottom – hopeless and borderline suicidal; I was stuck. A friend told me about yoga and that it was helping her with some of the mental anguish she’d been dealing with. I wondered if it could help me too. So, I downloaded an app and practiced a little bit each morning as best as I could. I didn’t feel much benefit, however, likely because I was too concerned with whether or not what I was doing was correct, not having a teacher there to guide me in each pose.

So, I googled nearby yoga studios, and found one not too far from my house. I took a few level 1 classes and became immediately hooked! But I wanted more than level 1, and the schedule for that studio didn’t work well for me. So, I went back to google and found Onyx Yoga Studio in Warren, NJ. I took my first hot class in March of 2015, and the rest is history! I was nervous going in - being new to yoga, new to the studio, taking my first hot class – my nerves were through the roof! But I made myself go through with it and I am so grateful that I did! I felt amazing after that first class and wanted more, more, more! The more I practiced, the better I felt! I didn’t understand how or what it was doing, I just knew I was finally starting to feel good, from the inside out.

Two years later, I am happier than I have ever been, and I am grateful for everything. Because of yoga, I am a better mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. It has been one of the most amazing, incredible gifts in my life! Prior to starting my practice, I was shy, reserved, unsure of myself, scared to speak up or put myself out there. I was an introvert, always passing up or missing opportunities, living a life full of regret. I had poor posture, no self-confidence, and I was a pro at living in the past - constantly replaying scenarios in my head of what I would have done differently, just given the chance to go back. No wonder I was miserable!

I became a teacher to pay it forward. I want to share this wonderful practice with as many people as I can, in hopes that it will bring some of these same life-changing benefits to others who need it.