To the editor:
After suffering with an eating disorder for almost two decades, I needed to make drastic life style changes. I had been through numerous treatment programs, years of miscellaneous therapy, monthly visits to emergency room, and an all-inclusive stays on a variety of mental health wards.
My body was deteriorating—my kidneys were failing, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and my teeth were becoming transparent from years of purging. As the illness progressed, many medical professionals were refusing to get involved in my treatment, since they saw the illness as lifelong and incurable.
After my weight plummeted to 65 pounds, I finally decided that it was time for me to help myself. I became the library’s best customer and listened and read self-help material daily.
Many of those resources encouraged a yoga practice as part of healing from a mental illness. I had never been to a yoga class, but I had nothing to lose, so I pursued a daily yoga practice at one of the local studios and I have not looked back since.
Along with treatment at the U of A Eating Disorder Program in Edmonton, and ongoing support from my wonderful parents, family and friends, I was able to transform my relationship to food, and most importantly to myself.
There are many yoga styles and studios in the Okanagan, each one offering something unique.…They have a great variety of classes that are suitable to match all ages and experience levels.
Once you experience an improvement in your health you will not want to look back. I know I never will. Everyone, regardless of their current lifestyle, can make positive changes in their lives. It is as simple as eating an extra fruit or veggie a day, instead of French fries or showing up at a yoga or fitness class once a week. Any step you take is a good step and will lead to a much happier and healthier you if you have the right mental attitude.
And by the way, I am still visit the self-help section weekly at the library, except I prefer to call it “inspirational”
Jenn Tassone,
Peachland
