CLEVELAND — There is a community shining a light on emotions that are often left in the dark. As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, many Ohioans are feeling the weight of grief.
Grief appears in many forms, it attacks in so many ways and it's an unwanted bond many share. However, in a time like the coronavirus pandemic, grief is very present.
Yoga instructor Becky Verner said she knows the effects of grief all too well. Her mother passed away when Verner was just 10 years old. She now spends her days giving back and inspiring others going through similar life obstacles by teaching yoga.
On her website she writes: I am very proud to be in a community of those who believe in the power of yoga and mindfulness to be effective in healing discomforts of grief and trauma in our bodies. Through research, collaboration and my own experience I created Yoga to Remember, a grief gentle yoga and meditation event that provides support for those who are grieving. I use these techniques myself to live with the grief from the sudden death of my mom when I was 10 years old.
Verner is now using her loss in order to teach others how to cope, including Ashley Knox. For Knox, she continues to grieve the loss of her father, Tom. She says the grieving process is different each day.
"There's other days that I describe as little knife stabs to your heart of remembering the loss and the gaping hole that exists in my life,” said Knox. "I want to say to others, you are not alone is the first thing that comes to mind. There are people all over this world and all over this city that are willing to help and support you, but who've also been there.”
She says yoga has helped her connect to her body again after feeling like she lost it during her dad's battle with a tumor.
“And now with the pandemic, again the idea of grief has gotten so much bigger,” said Verner. "It's so powerful to find things that you can control, like your body and your breath and your focus."
Currently, there are many new to grief as the pandemic continues and the number of deaths rises. However, this yoga community created by deep loss is finding purpose through pain -- together.
Some of the proceeds from Verner’s yoga class will be donated to Joel's Place for Children which offers Grief Support Groups in Cleveland.
For more info: https://www.beckyverneryoga.com/
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