By Annette (Annapurna) Zucco

Interviewed by Agnes (Aikya) Hetherington

I met Amy in spring 2023, a month after her quadruple bypass surgery. The pain, fear and trauma poured out of her, a stream of hyperanxiety. At 59, her chest had been surgically opened up, exposing her physical and emotional heart.

We began with Ujjayi Pranayama and then moved on to the high-risk protocol for Embodyment^® Yoga Therapy. After her first session, Amy reported “…feeling very relaxed in the chest area, feeling very soothed.” 

Amy adopted a home practice of Ujjayi Pranayama while continuing with  Embodyment^® sessions. She was walking daily for cardiac rehab, but she would vomit after the walk. The exercise was medically necessary, while we were balancing it out with yoga practices. 

The power of this practice continues to amaze me. Amy was learning techniques to calm herself and live her life. By summer, she could take her walk without pain or vomiting. She reported feeling movement in her sacrum, being open and relaxed in her chest. By winter, now doing the standard Embodyment^® protocol, she described “dropping into that state of peacefulness.” 

In Spring 2024, it was obvious from her breathing that Amy settled in very deeply. She remembered nothing but reported “I went very deep inside.”  I let her settle into Self, into that healing place, a few more minutes.

Fourteen months after traumatic surgery, Amy took a two-week trip to Italy with her husband. She still has her challenges, but she realizes that she is more than her pain or anxiety. This incredible progress was achieved simply by following the Embodyment^® protocols. It is so powerful, truly a therapeutic tool to be respected.