| In 1996 Kerrie Hamner was shocked to learn that a | | | | Ashtanga class at Yoga Yoga in Austin, Texas, |
| harmless-looking mole on her left thigh was actually | | | | where she especially relished the after-class |
| melanoma. After surgery to remove a large area | | | | inspirational readings about the eternal nature of our |
| around the melanoma, the doctor assured Kerrie that | | | | souls. Kerrie continued her rapid progress and became |
| she was now cancer-free. But two years later, when | | | | an instructor at Yoga Yoga. |
| she was just 25 years old, Kerrie learned that the | | | | Kerrie credits yoga with bringing numerous benefits |
| cancer was back and had probably spread throughout | | | | into her life, such as awareness and control of the |
| her entire body. For the next three months, Kerrie | | | | breath, which helped her to control her state of mind |
| underwent intensive bio-chemotherapy treatment | | | | and stay in the present moment. Yoga brought out |
| that ultimately wiped out the cancer, but also left her | | | | Kerrie's innate strength and self-discipline, both |
| physically debilitated. | | | | mentally and physically, and helped to make her |
| But sometimes adversity brings with it the most | | | | whole again. Yoga has been a tremendous healing |
| incredible revelations. During the treatment Kerrie | | | | light in Kerrie's life, one that she would never have |
| watched her body deteriorate, but inside her heart, | | | | found had it not been for the cancer. |
| mind and soul were growing and opening in leaps and | | | | Kerrie recently passed an important milestone - |
| bounds. Kerrie was being prepared to make what | | | | cancer-free for five years! She willingly shares her |
| would be a life-changing discovery for her - yoga. | | | | experiences with other cancer patients, offering |
| After her treatment ended, Kerrie took a yoga class | | | | healing words of hope and encouraging them to stay |
| and began practicing yoga at home. Still incredibly | | | | positive. Kerrie's inspiring story reminds us that |
| weak, Kerrie was only able to practice yoga for five | | | | devastating circumstances can actually be the |
| minutes a day. But she stuck with it and gradually got | | | | catalyst for profound and positive changes in our |
| stronger. Soon Kerrie was strong enough to take an | | | | lives. |