Ela Wojtowicz, a young woman with cerebral palsy, finds her balance as we begin our creative collaboration on a glorious Autumn afternoon in Central Park.

Strength, Courage, Perseverance, Triumph, and on and on and on…

I was so inspired by Ela while we were working together, I asked her to write something to share with the world.

Here’s what she came up with:

“‘You do not have to be strong or flexible to create a work of art.’

This quote by Seane Corn speaks to my heart and soul on a deep level. Being a young woman who has a physical disability, I never thought that I would be doing Yoga, let alone become a Yoga Teacher.

Being a Yogi with Cerebral Palsy, I want to inspire others, and, in doing so, I inspire myself.

Yoga is not about the physical—whether we can get our leg over our head—but rather what is in our Heart.

Yoga is an art, and I know in my heart that I am here (like all of us) for a reason. My purpose is to share my challenges and disability through the art of Yoga. Yoga is an expression unlike any other, and it allows me to truly be open and confident and vulnerable to whatever comes.

It allows me to accept myself for who I am: as a person with a disability. I am and will be forever grateful, honored, and humbled by the love of healing, compassion, and beauty that Yoga and this Life has given me.”

 

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Cerebral Palsy and all, I am a yogi and darn proud of it.

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Stay connected with Ela’s triumphant journey right here.

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