02/10/2026
This is my yoga story—not the polished highlight reel, but the real one.
If you’ve ever resisted yoga, struggled with your health, or needed calm in a loud season of life, this is for you.
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Yoga has been part of my life for several years, though the journey didn’t begin with instant enthusiasm—or serenity. It started in Denver, at an office gym, thanks to a dear coworker and friend named Jamie. She was sweet, persistent, and unwavering in her belief that yoga was exactly what I needed… even when I was equally convinced it wasn’t.
We worked together for four years, and her commitment to my well-being extended far beyond class invitations. Jamie and I walked the parking lot on our breaks, rain or shine, finding movement wherever we could. She even coordinated restroom breaks with me during the workday—and before we were allowed to leave the stall, we had to do 20 squats. No exceptions. Truly, everyone needs a Jamie in their life.
I attended yoga begrudgingly at first—tight, skeptical, and far from open-minded. But the more I went, the more my perspective began to shift. I watched Jamie emerge from class glowing—calm, grounded, and centered in a way that intrigued me. And while I may have been resisting the practice internally, I couldn’t deny how physically demanding it truly was. Yoga surprised me. It challenged me in ways I hadn’t expected and slowly began to change how I saw it.
When I relocated from Colorado back to Pennsylvania, my routine eventually changed. Life took a turn—I became sick, emotionally heavy, and disconnected from joy. My health declined, and with it, my sense of balance and vitality. When I was finally well enough in the spring of 2022, I returned to yoga—once again not loving it at first, but this time with intention and commitment. I made the decision to attend every class available to me, three times a week.
That decision became transformative.
Within a month, I noticed my body becoming stronger and more toned—but the deeper shift was internal. I finally learned how to meditate. I learned how to sit with myself, breathe through discomfort, and find stillness. Yoga became the anchor that gently guided me back to myself.
Through consistent practice, I discovered a profound sense of clarity, balance, and inner calm that began to ripple into every aspect of my life. Yoga taught me how to carry peace beyond the mat—how to pause, respond with intention, and move through life without constantly feeling on edge or losing my cool. It revealed that inner strength, self-control, and awareness are skills we can cultivate, just like physical strength.
This transformation sparked a deeper passion—one rooted in positivity, love, gratitude, and compassion. Yoga became more than movement; it became a way of living and relating to myself and others. Inspired by the impact it had on my own life, I chose to become a certified yoga instructor so I could share this practice with others.
Teaching brings me immense joy. It continues to challenge me to grow, both on and off the mat, and allows me to guide others toward a practice that strengthens the body while nurturing resilience, calm, and connection. My hope is to create a welcoming space where students feel supported, empowered, and reminded of their own inner strength—just as yoga has reminded me of mine.
With love and light,
Erikka G.
Wild Roots Yoga
“Yoga doesn’t change who you are—it reveals who you can be.”
