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This Yogi’s Incredible Body Poses Are Inspiring People With Serious Mental Illnesses
Suffering from PTSD, anxiety, and major depression, a rape survivor Heidi Williams finally found peace in yoga. Having almost lost her 6-month-old, she had even attempted to commit suicide, however, yoga practice has brought the colors back to her life and she‘s now even able to help those in need, who are in the same place where she once was.
"It was in this place of mental illness hell that I found yoga and grace. Yoga brought me to a safe place again. A place of peace and self-acceptance," - Williams told Mantra Yoga + Health
After recovering, she dedicated her life to inspire others through self-healing process by running online support groups where people can connect with each other. Her main goal is therapeutic yoga classes and retreats that would be specifically designed for depression, anxiety, and PTSD. She also uses social media to spread her finally discovered joy of life by showing a beautiful harmony of the body and mind that everyone is able to achieve. Her Instagram photos go with inspiring quotes for those still in search of their emotional peace.
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That's funny, Kelly! Sad part is I actually had an "incident" lol
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Her feet must have really strong arches. Even if I had this amount of balance, it would make the arch of my foot ache.
The poses are artful and yet the photographer(s) get no credit. Without skillful photography, these images would not have the impact they do.
I'm thinking salt in weird places. :D I'm sorry, it's a beautiful shot, but that's what I'm thinking. X)
Such a beautiful and graceful person. Am happy you found your way back. Can't even Imagine how hard it must've been.
So makes me want to do yoga. Beautiful serenity in all pictures, and a body to boot. Beautiful and admirable.
Ok, that must be one of the daftest titles on the whole website. It makes it sound as if the pictures of that lady cure mental illness - and I had to laugh out loud when I read Konstantins Jaunzems comment.The pics are good, the poses impressive and nicely staged, no sunset (which is a bonus), minus points for the flowery crotch decor. The story behind the pictures is good, but Bored Panda really does need some new copywriters.
usually when i get mental i just watch naked ladies in weird poses...that's really helpful
Could you Guys really only see the naked in these pictures? It's about achieving harmony and joy in your body and mind and spreading around.
From one gal to another naked does not equal harmonious. I have yet to figure out why women think "oh it's art. Let me bare every inch".
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She is beautiful and graceful but let's also applaud the photographer who captured her in the most ethereal and mesmerizing ways
So can anyone explain why contorting your body into different poses can affect your mental health? I mean I understand that your flexibility would improve but that doesn't help with PTSD or post partum depression or depression or any of the other myriad mental health issues affecting so many in America and around the world.
It's more about th mindfulness (a byproduct of yoga) that helps some people heal from mental illness. There are a myriad of scientific studies that show that mindfulness and self-awareness reduce the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. It's not the flexibility so much as the mental discipline that is involved in yoga.
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These poses by this strong woman show incredible power and mastery. I can see how the pursuit of this degree of control enabled her to restore her mental health. I cannot imagine any more artistic nudity on the internet than these quietly graceful poses. Perfectly stunning and thank you for sharing them.
Heidi, good for you!!! You are example of the power the human spirits, into yourself lives the fortress necesary to beat any difficulties. Your magnificants poses are one reflection of your mind and soul. My light for you. Namasté
it's not her body poses that are inspirational, it's the fact that she found a way to overcome the things that held her back from enjoying her life. She found a healthy channel for dealing with her problems. But it's not that the pictures poses magically cure anybody, they just help by raising awareness and also offering an idea for a therapeutic activity that others might find helps them.
These people return my faith to humanity every day! Such an inspiring, graceful and a kind woman. I salute you, please keep continuing your work <3 I wish I can someday start yoga or ballet, too.
Not trying to be rude or anything but why is she naked in the photos?? Don't hate this just answer it.
incredible flexible body. its release the stress i think. good for everyday move's.
Beautiful lady, artistic poses, but this will not help people with serious mental illnesses; infact could do quite the reverse. People with depression, anxiety and other serious mental illnesses have a true lack of esteem and self worth. They need to learn acceptance of their body, in order to work on their mind and spirit. This beautiful young woman's photos will not help a normal bodied, unfit, desperately unhappy person to feel hope. I work hard with my clients to accept their body-types, but use yoga to improve their physical and mental health. Namaste Jan Ejsymontt: Yogatrail.com
This makes me think of the work of trauma expert Bessel Van Der Kolk. He recommends trauma victims find a physical activity like yoga to heal body as well as mind. Very inspiring.
Why would someone get ambushed for any kind of pictures. Or asking differently: how could any kind of picture justify violence?
Load More Replies... Ok, that must be one of the daftest titles on the whole website. It makes it sound as if the pictures of that lady cure mental illness - and I had to laugh out loud when I read Konstantins Jaunzems comment.The pics are good, the poses impressive and nicely staged, no sunset (which is a bonus), minus points for the flowery crotch decor. The story behind the pictures is good, but Bored Panda really does need some new copywriters.
usually when i get mental i just watch naked ladies in weird poses...that's really helpful
Could you Guys really only see the naked in these pictures? It's about achieving harmony and joy in your body and mind and spreading around.
From one gal to another naked does not equal harmonious. I have yet to figure out why women think "oh it's art. Let me bare every inch".
Load More Replies... She is beautiful and graceful but let's also applaud the photographer who captured her in the most ethereal and mesmerizing ways
So can anyone explain why contorting your body into different poses can affect your mental health? I mean I understand that your flexibility would improve but that doesn't help with PTSD or post partum depression or depression or any of the other myriad mental health issues affecting so many in America and around the world.
It's more about th mindfulness (a byproduct of yoga) that helps some people heal from mental illness. There are a myriad of scientific studies that show that mindfulness and self-awareness reduce the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. It's not the flexibility so much as the mental discipline that is involved in yoga.
Load More Replies... These poses by this strong woman show incredible power and mastery. I can see how the pursuit of this degree of control enabled her to restore her mental health. I cannot imagine any more artistic nudity on the internet than these quietly graceful poses. Perfectly stunning and thank you for sharing them.
Heidi, good for you!!! You are example of the power the human spirits, into yourself lives the fortress necesary to beat any difficulties. Your magnificants poses are one reflection of your mind and soul. My light for you. Namasté
it's not her body poses that are inspirational, it's the fact that she found a way to overcome the things that held her back from enjoying her life. She found a healthy channel for dealing with her problems. But it's not that the pictures poses magically cure anybody, they just help by raising awareness and also offering an idea for a therapeutic activity that others might find helps them.
These people return my faith to humanity every day! Such an inspiring, graceful and a kind woman. I salute you, please keep continuing your work <3 I wish I can someday start yoga or ballet, too.
Not trying to be rude or anything but why is she naked in the photos?? Don't hate this just answer it.
incredible flexible body. its release the stress i think. good for everyday move's.
Beautiful lady, artistic poses, but this will not help people with serious mental illnesses; infact could do quite the reverse. People with depression, anxiety and other serious mental illnesses have a true lack of esteem and self worth. They need to learn acceptance of their body, in order to work on their mind and spirit. This beautiful young woman's photos will not help a normal bodied, unfit, desperately unhappy person to feel hope. I work hard with my clients to accept their body-types, but use yoga to improve their physical and mental health. Namaste Jan Ejsymontt: Yogatrail.com
This makes me think of the work of trauma expert Bessel Van Der Kolk. He recommends trauma victims find a physical activity like yoga to heal body as well as mind. Very inspiring.
Why would someone get ambushed for any kind of pictures. Or asking differently: how could any kind of picture justify violence?
Load More Replies...