I was 30 years old, 100 pounds overweight and a very skilled four-pack-a-day smoker.

As a touring musician, this kind of lifestyle was supported. One day I was home doing some renovations and the next I was in intensive care with a rare autoimmune illness that was killing my red blood cells.

I was a mess, and the prognosis was grim. I was well enough to not be in the hospital, so eventually I was sent home—only my doctor expected me back in the hospital within a short period of time.

Instead of being sad about this reality, however, it inspired me. I began researching alternative healing options. My friend sent me to a yoga class where I met a really great teacher who explained to me the power of lying still.

She taught me Yoga Nidra that day, and I was convinced that it saved my life.

That was over 15 years ago. I am now a (healthy) full-time Yoga Therapist. I have a few different intellectual reasons why Yoga Nidra saved my life but I think I’m better off bringing myself back in time and remembering the feeling of just lying there, completely relaxed and blissful, allowing the world to work on me like the most skilled surgeon might.

Now I work with individuals suffering from a wide variety of diseases including obesity, eating disorders, acute and chronic physical complaints, chronic diseases, and mental conditions.

In addition, I created the Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy training programs so others can now to do the same. If you’re also interested in helping others heal themselves, click here to learn more about our Yoga Therapy programs.

Note: the full article was originally posted in Elephant Journal here.