DiaYogi Dialogues
In 2014 my life was at rock bottom. Diagnosed with prediabetes, not knowing I actually had latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) I was in complete denial. I had been living and breathing yoga since I was 19 with the mindset that yogis don’t get sick. Obviously, I was wrong.
After tests confirmed an A1c of 10.7 and the beginnings of neuropathy in my hands and feet I was terrified. Not just terrified of the finality of the diagnosis but afraid of medication and being on it for life. It took quite a bit of convincing and a huge dose of courage to take the plunge and start insulin therapy.
That was my turning point. I took a stand and put myself first. It was also the moment I started to question and look beyond my limited belief system. Asking questions like: were there other yogis like me, adults who’d practiced yoga first before their diagnosis? And what about people living with diabetes? Did they practice yoga at all? Did it lead them to teach and share?
At first, through an online search not much came up. I found someone in Minneapolis, and someone else in Vermont. When I asked my peers if they knew any yoga teachers living with diabetes they shrugged their shoulders. I kept looking. I knew there were yogis with diabetes out there I just hadn’t found them … yet
Enter Beyond Type 1 and their #LiveBeyond Insta campaign.
Every time I saw a post from a yogi, I cheered. Like a kid in a candy store, I ate up their stories and began reaching out. The more we connected the more I realised how each Diayogi (a yogi who lives with diabetes) had to offer. Not just to their local community but to the wider world.
That’s when the idea for the Diayogi Dialogues Summit came to life. A free interview summit with 11 yoga teachers living with diabetes. Yogis of all ages, from all over the world.
If you’re feeling isolated, frustrated, like giving up or simply looking to change your relationship to your diabetes, this summit is an invitation to come on a journey with us. Discover why yoga rocked our world, put us on the path to transformation, influenced our relationships, career paths and made us Diayogi warriors. Listen to our triumphs and challenges. Join us in the practices we do every day to stay balanced and joyful. Feel inspired to try yoga for the first time or to recommit to a daily practice.
No matter your age, background and stage of diagnosis I know you will love these heartfelt conversations. Each woman is a warrior, a carer and a leading light in the field of yoga and diabetes and I feel so honored to be able to share their stories. Together through the power of yoga we rise!
Our Summit launches October 1, 2018. I encourage you to preregister via our launch sign-up go in the draw to win a FREE yoga for diabetes book and for US subscribers a six-month subscription to the mySugr bundle which includes a six months’ worth of free test strips and a diabetes coach. Click here to sign up.
Meet the Diayogi tribe and their Instagram handles:
Episode 1: Sarah Macleod from @whatsarahsaid
Episode 2 :Sarah Parker Bristow from @Growing_grounded
Episode 3: Evan Soroka from @evan_soroka
Episode 4: Margaret Shippey from @margaretshippey
Epsidoe 5: Anna Elfving-Gomes @myyogal1fe_anna
Episode 6: Lauren Bongiorno @lauren_bongiorno
Episode 7: Sarah Tomlinson @sarahyantra
Episode 8: Anastasia Yatras @anastasiayogin
Episode 9: Karen Rose Tank @karenrosetank
Bonus Episode: Karo Sharma @trimurtiyoga
Bonus Episode: Synne Roisland @synnergyoga