My name is Larry, and I am 65 years old, soon to be 66, in just a few weeks. I am a veteran of the U. S. Army, a retired First Responder, having worked in the justice field for more than 30 years. I had considered my body to be pretty much worn out. This type of career can take a toll on one’s body. I am a Type 2 Diabetic; I have 7 herniated discs in my low back and, through the years, have lost a great deal of flexibility and balance. Now here’s the rest of the story. A few weeks ago, I was leaving a local Physical Therapy group, having just finished 4 weeks of therapy. Insurance was done paying for therapy, and I did notice a slight improvement in flexibility. As I left the office, I noticed a Yoga Studio next door, “Warrior 1 Yoga.” I had always thought yoga might be beneficial but never committed to trying it. I went inside and after talking to Christin and Dana, they suggested trying the 6-week challenge and seeing how I like the program. I thought, why not? I can do anything for 6 weeks.

Well, here we are 6 weeks later, and here are the results. The results are life-changing. I have lost 16 pounds, I have gone down two belt sizes, my back feels stronger than it has in the last 30 years (The injury was around 31 years ago), and my glucose numbers have been in the normal range for the last 3 weeks nowhere near the diabetic range. I met with my Endocrinologist two weeks ago, and she reduced my medications, so now, instead of taking 5 different medications, I only take 2 medications, and my numbers are perfect. I give all the credit for these improvements to Warrior 1 Yoga. I have found Yoga is so much more than just being flexible. It is about breathing techniques, it’s learning to relax, and it is also about improved balance, and restoring flexibility. I expect Yoga to be a part of my life from this point on, and I am excited to see what the future holds. If you are ready to make a commitment, ready for a lifestyle change that can truly change your life, then I would encourage you to try Warrior 1 Yoga.

My most recent health journey started a few months ago after I was instructed by a VA lab nurse to head over to the closest ER as my labs had returned with a creatine level of 2.8 ( .6 to 1.2 being normal) and that I was in Acute Renal Failure.

After a few hours of waiting and a new set of labs I was sent home with a lower creatine level of 1.3; with already being a diabetic (A1C of 7.5 at that time) taking metformin, tramadol, naproxen, and baclofen on a daily basis for over 10 years; I questioned the nurse that night if those meds that had been prescribed could have caused me to have renal failure and to no surprise, her answer was “Yes, that could have caused it”.

I honestly thought I was going to die that weekend and not be able to see my daughter or other loves ones ever again! But thanks to God it was not my time, as I sat in the ER contemplating my life I realize that I am the only one that can make the changes I need to a long healthy life, while still dealing with the constant daily back-pain from an injury sustained while in the Army many years ago, I decided to re-educate myself with healthy eating and intermittent fasting along with some yoga to try to ease some of the pain away and get away from the daily pill routine I was currently taking.

Some of the changes that have greatly helped me in reaching my goals have been changing my primary doctor to one who would listen instead of judging me, and who kindly prescribed me with a freestyle libre continuous blood sugar monitoring prescription (to be paid out of pocket) that has been the best tool in understanding what food does to my sugar levels.

I also enlisted with an amazing yoga instructor for a once a week private class to stretch, strengthen and heal my body with as little discomfort as possible and always changing routines on the spot if any discomfort was felt on my lower back (had not worked out in about 8yrs) my new instructor also suggested we try cryotherapy (-284 degrees) once a week along with my routine. Three months down the road I’m eating more food per serving than ever before while also trying to keep a constant 16:8 fasting (that’s when you only eat between noon and 8 pm) and at least 1 24hr fast per month (eat dinner then not eat again until dinner following day) I’m eating more fruit, more greens, raw vegetables and doing my best to stay away from processed foods.

As of this writing, I’m down to 170lbs from 190lbs, my A1C has dropped from 7.5 to 6.3 I am no longer taking diabetic medication and only taking my pain pills as needed when I have my flare-ups and pinched nerves. I’m not certain what the future holds for me or how much more my body will change, but I am thankful to be alive and able to share my story with hopes that it can inspire at least one person to look inside themselves for the opportunity to a long healthy life.

Warrior 1 yoga has helped me physically with less aches and pains, mentally by reducing stress and has given me more confidence in myself. I make better food choices now, I still enjoy the same foods just not as much or as often. As a result I’ve lost 20+ pounds. Thank you Linda Boden for all your encouragement you are a inspiration to me.   – Dianna Ellis

Transformation by Dyamond Alyse – So almost 3 years ago I was weighing 187, the heaviest I have ever been! People kept telling me I was getting heavy but was so blind to it I just kept ignoring it, I decided to try out yoga one day because a friend convinced me to go. I struggled so much, I thought I was dying. I had never been so out of shape before. A few weeks passed, and I ended up going again, and once again, I struggled and felt so uncomfortable in my own body. I was so embarrassed, so I finally decided to sign up for yoga. When I started yoga, I immediately felt better about myself. I started eating better, stopped drinking beer, and sure enough, I started shedding the pounds. I hate gyms. I just can’t get motivated in the gym, so for me yoga was perfect because the teachers are all so motivating and really get to know you on a personal level, everyone at the studio knows me, knows my mom, always ask how my mom is doing, and for me, that’s really heartwarming to know that I’m remembered, and I am not just another person paying their monthly dues. From the beginning, I would always sit in front of the class and at first, I was a little embarrassed sitting in the front. But then I thought to myself if I sit in the front I’ll be closer to the yoga instructor and I don’t want to give up & to this day I still sit in the front. Today, I’m weighing 141 and I’m still attending yoga.

I’m so comfortable in my body, never had a butt and now everyone at yoga compliments my butt which for a girl ya know that’s kinda a big deal, I still have some work to do with my body, and I have no doubt that if I continue with yoga I’ll get to my ultimate goal of 130! Thanks to Dana, Kelsi , Nilay, April and all the warrior 1 yoga staff for helping me feel comfortable in my own skin. Thank you all once again BODY BY WARRIOR 1YOGA  love you guys!

The first picture was before I started at Warrior 1, circa 2015. The second picture is after, Cirac November, 2017. I love Dana Healey, her family, the Warrior 1 Family, and all the yogis I have met along the way. Need to get myself back in regularly and also need to add cycle regularly.

My story is more about an emotional transformation rather than a physical transformation. The scariest day of my life occurred in September of 2006 when I was told that at 28 years old I had cancer. Prior to this date I never cared about health. I didn’t think I had to… i was one of those annoying girls that stayed super thin without counting calories or working out. After kicking cancer’s ass I quickly found that I had another battle to conquer… my weight! The steroids caused me to blow up into a sea cow!!! The mental anguish that came with now having to deal with a weight issue was torturous and has been torturous. After chemo just

Beginning at Warrior 1 yoga was not just going to a yoga studio where you’re in and out, yoga and done. It is a lifestyle change. There are several options available for you to change your health from the root. A hair analysis test is available to notify you of vitamin deficiencies and toxins, near infrared and heat releases lymph, moves circulation and removes toxins. Everything is designed to kick start your body in a positive direction holistically. The classes will help you melt calories fast and lipolight is there to really move it along. Overall, I can’t believe how fast my progress has been and even more, how much my life has changed as a results of it.

-Sharmila Paul