My Journey of Healing Through Yoga: 5 Lessons Learned

Throughout my journey, yoga has served various roles for me—it has been a form of exercise, a discipline, a sanctuary, and a wise mentor. It offered me a nurturing space to connect with my body and to discover a sense of tranquility in simply being. Initially, I would enter a yoga session overwhelmed by a whirlwind of thoughts and worries, but by the end, those worries faded away. The permission to unwind was a novel experience.

Most importantly, yoga has been a vital source of healing for me. It not only supported the recovery of my spine but also addressed the hidden traumas that influenced my physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. As my dedication to yoga grew, it shifted from a mere physical activity to a profound catalyst for emotional and spiritual rejuvenation.

Here are the insights I’ve gained along my path—nuggets of wisdom that may guide others in their own journeys of healing through yoga.

Recognizing Trauma in the Body

Having grown up carrying deep-seated trauma, I was left with lasting marks not just in my mind, but also in my physical form. In my teenage years, scoliosis distorted my spine, while the unvoiced tensions of family life made me feel tight, anxious, and weighed down by responsibilities.

Initially, I approached yoga as a mode of exercise—a means to stretch and alleviate discomfort. Beneath that surface motivation, however, was a longing for something greater: a path to reconcile with a body that felt flawed and a life that felt burdensome.

Insight 1: Pay attention to your body.
Discomfort and tension are not coincidental; they represent the body’s expression. Start by being aware of where you feel tight or unsteady, and ask yourself: What message is my body conveying?

Taking Initial Steps

Practicing yoga brought me physical relief. A simple hamstring stretch alleviated tension in my lower back, while gentle backbends opened up areas of tightness. I viewed this practice as akin to physical rehabilitation, and it proved effective.

As I continued, I began to sense something deeper occurring. With each session, my breath became steadier, my nervous system calmed, and I felt less compelled to exert control over everything. Yoga was imparting lessons beyond physical form; it was guiding me to embrace the art of release.

Insight 2: Begin with the body, but cultivate awareness of the breath.
Even if yoga starts as a physical endeavor, allow your breath to be your grounding force. Healing initiates at the intersection of body and breath.

Beyond the Physical Realm

As my yoga practice evolved, I began to notice parallels with my everyday life. On the mat, I often strained for perfection; off the mat, I mirrored this behavior by prioritizing the approval of others over my own needs.

Yoga challenged me to soften where I was hardened and to gather strength where I felt weak—reflecting both my physical condition and my emotional landscape. The goal was not perfection but rather acceptance of myself as I truly am.

Insight 3: Use the mat as a reflective surface.
Observe your habits during practice. Do you exert too much effort? Do you collapse when lacking support? The mat serves as a safe environment to explore new ways of being.

Discovering Balance and Relaxation

When I stepped into teaching, my goal extended beyond helping others; it became a means to reinforce the lessons I needed to embrace. Every time I counseled a student to seek steadiness and peace, I was reminding myself of that very truth.

Through my work as a physical therapist, it became evident that back pain encompasses more than muscles and bones—it reflects how we navigate our lives. Yoga provided a pathway to regain equilibrium.

Insight 4: Share your learning journey.
Whether formally or informally, communicate your healing experiences. Teaching or sharing insights reinforces the lessons that resonate most strongly within you.

Embracing Silence, Space, and Transformation

The most profound transformation for me occurred in the solitude of the desert. Alone, enveloped in silence under the vast sky, I liberated myself from structured sequences and simply moved as my body desired—sometimes flowing, sometimes pausing, or even lying still and breathing.

In this expansive space, I recognized that yoga transcended physical postures. It was about liberation, presence, and wholeness—even with imperfections, even with a misaligned spine.

I would begin in Tadasana (mountain pose), feeling the ground beneath my feet. The solid earth and infinite desert around me became sources of strength, helping me transition from my analytical mind to my physical self and the present moment.

Insight 5: Allow room for spontaneous practice.
From time to time, release rigid structures. Move according to your body’s desires. This is where yoga evolves from mere healing to true liberation.

Healing Means Embracing Life Fully

Today, yoga remains my grounding force. My mantra is straightforward: Guide me toward understanding my dharma (purpose) and bestow the strength to fulfill it.

Balance and ease. Strength and gentleness. Stability and liberation—these attributes extend beyond postures to encompass life itself. Healing does not imply the eradication of the past or the attainment of a flawless body. It is about fully engaging with life as it is, cultivating trust in the wisdom that arises from blending discipline with grace. It’s a journey from trauma to resilience, from rigidity to fluidity, from fragmented to whole, and embodying that narrative daily, both on and off the mat.

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Author Bio

Rachel Krentzman PT, C-IAYT, MBA is a registered yoga therapist and physical therapist, as well as a certified Hakomi psychotherapist. Born in Montreal to an Orthodox Jewish family, she faced deep trauma stemming from the arrest of her rabbi father which caused her to break away from her strict upbringing and discover her true self. Her expertise lies in facilitating personal healing through somatic, body-centered psychotherapy and yoga therapy. Struggling with scoliosis and damaged discs herself, she developed an impactful therapy that aids countless students and patients worldwide.

Now, she resides in Israel with her husband, son, and two dogs. Rachel has authored several books on yoga, including Scoliosis, Yoga Therapy and the Art of Letting Go (2016). Her latest work is As Is: A Memoir on Healing the Past Through Yoga. Discover more at happybackyoga.com.