By Rebecca (Rasa) Rivers

Interviewed by Marlene (Matrikaa) Gast, Yogaratna

From her yoga classes and yoga therapy sessions with me, Clair credits yoga with “saving her life.” She describes it in these ways:

I mean that Svaroopa^® yoga has enabled me to live the life that I want.  Both of my parents and my older sister suffered from genetic-based osteoarthritis.  At an early age, I was warned that I could look forward to serious physical issues.

In 1972, in my early 30s, I had my first surgery to address complications of osteoarthritis.  Given my family’s health history, I was not surprised.  In the early 2000s, I had knee replacement surgery.  In 2011, when my physician suggested a hip replacement, I said, “Let me think on that.”

I’d taken yoga classes from Rebecca (Rasa) Rivers in a nearby town.  By 2011, she was teaching Svaroopa^®yoga in my town, so I got in touch with her.  After an assessment, she suggested that I join her classes.  I also availed myself of her private sessions.  I received yoga therapy and private instruction on specific poses for my condition. 

When I saw my surgeon a year later, he said, “I don’t know what you did, but you no longer need hip surgery.”

Indeed, I was able to climb mountains again, walk three miles a day, and return to swimming.  Given the therapeutic effects of Svaroopa^® yoga, I am so grateful and so happy to be alive.  

Since 10-years-old, I’ve been doing things that are positive for my body, including diet and exercise.  When I’ve walked through forests, their scent and vibrations have uplifted me.  I’m conscious now of the same sense of fulfillment from Svaroopa^® yoga poses.

I have also become interested in learning more about yoga philosophy.  My original interest was focused on yoga’s physical benefits only.  Having recently completed a Learn to Mediate course, I am expanding my interests to yoga’s spiritual teachings as well as Svaroopa^® Vidya meditation.

Seeing clients experience such profound change is one of the joys of my serving as a Svaroopa^® yoga therapist.