If you ever doubted the power of yoga to radically transform someone’s life, take 5 minutes to watch this Youtube Video. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. This is why I teach and why I’m making it my mission to spread the gift of this practice as far and wide as possible, particularly to the 95% of people who don’t currently practice. Thanks to my wonderful friend, Henry, for sending me this link.
Arthur Boorman was a disabled veteran of the Gulf War for 15 years, and was told by his doctors that he would never be able to walk on his own, ever again.
He stumbled upon an article about Diamond Dallas Page doing Yoga and decided to give it a try — he couldn’t do traditional, higher impact exercise, so he tried DDP YOGA and sent an email to Dallas telling him his story.
Dallas was so moved by his story, he began emailing and speaking on the phone with Arthur throughout his journey – he encouraged Arthur to keep going and to believe that anything was possible. Even though doctors told him walking would never happen, Arthur was persistent. He fell many times, but kept going.
Arthur was getting stronger rapidly, and he was losing weight at an incredible rate! Because of DDP’s specialized workout, he gained tremendous balance and flexibility — which gave him hope that maybe someday, he’d be able to walk again.
His story is proof, that we cannot place limits on what we are capable of doing, because we often do not know our own potential. Niether Arthur, nor Dallas knew what he would go on to accomplish, but this video speaks for itself. In less than a year, Arthur completely transformed his life. If only he had known what he was capable of, 15 years earlier.
Do not waste any time thinking you are stuck – you can take control over your life, and change it faster than you might think.
Hopefully this story can inspire you to follow your dreams – whatever they may be.
Anything is Possible!
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
View all posts by Christa Avampato
3 thoughts on “Leap: How Yoga Transformed A Wounded Vet”
Love how we are sooo connected — two days ago I wrote a blog post inspired by Arthur’s video. Interesting comment on fb from someone who said it’s a great story if it’s true. Why do people have such a hard time believing in the power we all have inside of us to change our lives? Thank goodness for people like us and Arthur and so many who champion love, light and the incredible power of the Spirit infinite within each of us. Namaste http://www.newworldgreetings.blogspot.com/2012/05/its-up-to-you.html
Ditto, Mary! I completely agree – we see remarkable stories and question them because they are so extraordinary. I look forward to living in a world where extraordinary becomes the norm.
Love how we are sooo connected — two days ago I wrote a blog post inspired by Arthur’s video. Interesting comment on fb from someone who said it’s a great story if it’s true. Why do people have such a hard time believing in the power we all have inside of us to change our lives? Thank goodness for people like us and Arthur and so many who champion love, light and the incredible power of the Spirit infinite within each of us. Namaste http://www.newworldgreetings.blogspot.com/2012/05/its-up-to-you.html
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Ditto, Mary! I completely agree – we see remarkable stories and question them because they are so extraordinary. I look forward to living in a world where extraordinary becomes the norm.
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Well said – Amen!
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