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Hendersonville, Tennessee, United States
“I believe in the power of yoga,” says MPC YOGA FOR ALL founder Michele Priddy. “I have seen lives change, including my own, in deep, transformative and real ways.” Michele, who holds a Master’s degree in Special Education from Middle Tennessee State University and certification as a RYT-500 from Yoga Alliance, has more than two decades of experience helping adults and children of all ages and abilities reach their maximum potential. Her highly-individualized yoga classes, workshops and in-service training programs are more than just opportunities to for her students to move: they are transformational experiences made even richer by Michele’s deep understanding of yoga movement, breath work and philosophy coupled with an encyclopedic knowledge of anatomy and physiology. In addition to teaching yoga at Middle Tennessee’s most respected yoga schools, Michele has led workshops for children with disabilities, teachers, social service workers, parents and others on a variety of topics including Yoga for Children, Yin Yoga, Mindfulness, Adaptive Yoga and Vinyasa Flow.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Perseverance

Today in my meditation I was reading about perseverance in the book Running Within by Jerry Lynch and Warren Scott Interestingly I was reading a section on Perseverance This is one of my sections in my book about my journey toward acceptance of my son's disability and the lessons I have learned.

As a mother of a child with a disability and a marathon runner it is necessary toward acceptance and fulfillment that I learn the lessons of persistence. As quoted in the book
Talent accounts for 5 percent of most achievements. It usually takes 5 years of consistent training before you come to your own as a runner.
I had never heard this but I agree fully! When I took up running, I learned that it took commitment and perseverance to continue. I have found that setting a goal toward a marathon or even toward physical health requires me to run no matter what. Often I find myself not wanting to run! To skip the training because I don't feel like it, the weather, lack of time, other more important things to do, etc. the excuses are limited. Running often doesn't make me feel great when in the middle of it. In fact more often than not this is the case. When I committed this year to run as a spiritual medium, I learned that I can run as a prayer and the dedication to this activity often is something I don't want to do because it is often uncomfortable, painful, and creates a lot of fear. But the perseverance has allowed me to increase my spiritual connection to God, to learn the lessons of faith. Often I do not know what my life plan is but I keep on the road toward doing the work of God (hello everyone it is difficult because it often requires change!) I have learned that it is supposed to be this way. Jesus didn't have a picnic of a life, it wasn't fun, and it was incredibly painful. This is necessary toward the faithful journey. Does my life really express the beliefs and morals I proclaim to have? Only the action that is required allows this to happen.

I have also found that having a child with a disability requires the same perseverance, dedication and commitment. And when I look back I realize that it does take about 5 years!

Giving up is not part of the journey toward faith. Persistence, commitment and dedication are the requirement but the rewards and connection toward a spiritually fulfilling life, toward living the life that God intends is well worth the struggle.

Blessings on your road!

2 comments:

Anne said...

Hi Michelle,

My name is Anne Rutkowski. I am a marathon runner and my daughter, Maia, who is 10 has muscular dystrophy. She has congenital muscular dystrophy. What type of muscular dystrophy does your son have? CMD or DMD?
If CMD, I encourage you to visit our site, www.curecmd.org
Happy trails!

mpc YOGA for ALL said...

Yes, my son also has congenital muscular dystrophy! I would love to visit your sight. Have you ever run with your child? How old is she? We live in the Nashville, TN area. Thank you for visiting my blog. How did you find it?