It was 27 May 2017 about 5 pm. On my way to see the sunset by the beach, there was a road accident. I was on the scene - as the victim.

A car hit my scooter. Things happened very fast. Before I knew what was happening, I found myself in the middle of the road.

My tibia was broken in half and my fibula in two places. I stayed in a hospital bed for one full week and then I became very good friends with crutches for about three months. As I could barely move, I was unable to teach. Even a trip to the toilet was a huge struggle. This event has changed my life.

Xray after the surgery shown implant rod that fixed my Tibia bone and the broken fibula.

Now, what to do next?

Well, there were two roads I could take. One was to ‘accept’ the situation and ‘be aware of all the shifts’. And the second, ‘think a lot’ about the uncontrollable things and ‘unconsciously let all the emotions control me’.

Of course, I took the easier route which ended up with me suffering with sadness and depression. I did cry my eyes out in misery due to the powerful rush of emotions..fear - not being able to land on my feet again, stress - caused by pain, anger at the reckless driver, doubt - I had a yoga retreat in Germany on the list and would I be able to do this trip as planned?, worry about the hospital bill, medical expenses and having to deal with the accident case in a police station/court which was not joyful, to name but a few.

Staying in the hospital bed for one full week.

When these emotions consumed all my energy up, I felt even more weak and in pain. But really, there was not much else I could do. I then closed my eyes and started to breathe slower, deeper and calmer. I tried to focus on the breath so I could shut those emotions down, at least for a short while.

**Very simply, I deeply inhaled and counted one - exhaled, finished one. Deeply inhaled, two - exhaled, two. Began to breathe and counted three, breathe out slowly and three. I kept breathing and counting until my mind was out of focus. **

It was THIS that invited me to walk on road number one. Slowing down the thought process, calming the mind, accepting the past (the accident had happened), and understanding the NOW.

And it was THIS that got my hope back. The hope that my physical body can do things again. The hope that my mental body gained enough space to breathe and to have the focus to clear all the unnecessary thoughts and emotions.

Yes, it is unfortunate that I missed the setting sun that evening. But luckily enough, I have chances to do so on many other days. Instead of victimizing myself and asking why it has to be me, I was able to get out of the drama and started to look at the bright side. “Things could be worse”.

Yoga is life changing, if not life saving

I had learnt a lot from my own body, pain management, including other healing and rehabilitation methods. As I focused on getting the mobility and range of motion back, I did aqua exercise, physiotherapy, acupuncture, lymphatic drainage massage, as well as stem cell treatment along with yoga and meditation. I realized my yoga practice became even more amazing and the most challenging of all the above methods. Because of my limitations, I had to redefine my strength and flexibility - both body and mind. Crawling, wheel chairing, limping, hopping, finding my ‘new centre’ and playing with balance. Movement restrictions became my freedom.

Yoga practice, Navasana (boat pose). This pose aimed to develop core strength and heal my muscles around tibia and fibula after trauma.

Yoga practice, Eka Pada Ardha Purvottanasana (one legged reverse table top pose). As the injured leg was swollen due to the excess fluid that was trapped in the damaged area, I raised it up high to help waste fluids able to freely move back to the lymph nodes.

Acro yoga fun with a yoga teacher Young Ho Kim, whom accepted to fly me and my crutches, Elmau Yoga Summit, Germany 2017.

Once I found myself grounded, I started to flow. The flow is moving and ever changing. The past is not flowing as it has already happened and the future does not yet exist. Flowing in the present moment eradicated the fear of not being able to do and teach yoga again, because I practice yoga now - the way I can.

Gratitude for love and support

This was the first time I had ever used crutches, learning to walk again like a new child. It was painful to be immobile and dependent on others but it was also this tough time that taught me what actually matters in life and how fortunate I am. I was deeply grateful and blessed for my family and friends who fed me, were there beside me, went through the pain with me and their kind support and healing love gave me the light to be bright in the dark.

When misfortune strikes, love and support from people around us becomes even more obvious. I also remembered, while I was lying immobile on the road feeling the excruciating pain, the group of people who came to check on me. They were calling the police and ambulance, trying to comfort me and wishing me the best of luck. These passers by made me feel a huge surge of relief. I was not all alone and I would be alright. The powerful strength, help and hope they gave me is something I will never forget.

Embrace the change(s) and make a shift!

Each unfavorable circumstance carries with it opportunities and wisdom. It invites, reminds and challenges us to become stronger, calmer and grow wiser. Don’t get me wrong. From the moment I woke up till the moment I went back to bed, the pain was there with me. But still, I was traveling, swimming, doing yoga and dancing with the new terms and conditions of my ability. It is because we always have a choice to choose and although the leg was broken, I was not ever going to stop having a good time. Yes, I kept walking on the broken leg and that was really awe-inspiring to learn from my body that it can do a lot more than I think.

walking on crutches wherever life takes me to.

Broken places don't mean a thing if our core is strong and our mind is unshakable. Changes may appear to be frightening and difficult at times, but they also slow us down, help us to observe and deliberately think in a more rational way. Whenever we get to encounter a problem, embrace the change(s)! Let us see it as a corrective process, an opportunity to enjoy it alternatively and make an important shift.

That's life!