Recently the i Run and Rock committee had one of our core meetings. We each took turns  giving a detailed debrief on the progress of our sections.  As I was reflecting the meeting I was thinking these warriors  have adopted my friend Lisa and I into their circle and truly it is an honour.  These first responders have experienced the toughest of the toughest traumas and have had to deal with people on their worst day….and this is what they have chosen to do…it is not an easy road but that is why they were drawn to be a first responder because they are Warriors in every meaning of the word to serve and protect. As I have come to know these strong men I also have scene their kind and compassionate side that also makes them so special.

Recently a new warrior has joined i Run and Rock “United by Trauma”, a brampton Fire Fighter….Unbelievable, he drove to Newmarket to help out with a video that we are putting together for the i run and rock event.  I stood in the corner off to the side with tears rolling down my face thinking about how so many strangers from all over have united to help each other out.  But like an OPP Officer said to me last week “we are always helping everyone else we forget about ourselves”……THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WARRIORS ARE MADE OF….a special quality to put others first and the daily sacrifices they make to keep us safe!!!  These men and women are Guardians and Warriors….I have never be more proud then I am now to join them in this battle to remove the stigma about PTSD…we WILL win….I have no doubt…besides I have been trained by the best Army Officer in the business…Billy Boy!!!!

Yup…it was one of those days….”charlie brown” was in my corner, with several glitches here and there and unexpected news, but however my first thought was “thank-god it’s yoga night”!! I hurried home, had a quick dinner and dashed off to the studio!! I was excited to see everyone and although it is not “touchy feely” yoga….I had to give everyone hugs!!  There are some yoga classes that rise above the others and this one tonight soared!!  The energy in the room was incredible and it really did move me…I was thinking how lucky I am to have so many special people in my life.

A friend of mine emailed me a copy of a Theodore Roosevelt’s speech from 1910 “The man in the arena”….I actually did cry reading it and thinking about the wonderful people that I have crossed paths with on this journey and it is truly an honour to serve these warriors. One thing that I have learned is that these warriors are the greatest  teachers and I am the luckiest student!!

Often when I am visiting a new city I like to attend yoga classes and check out different studios.  Recently I traveled to the states for a conference.  After I attend all my scheduled presentation I had a free day to just tour around.  My original intension was to tour a naval base that I have always admired…unfortunately the plan logistically did not work out, so I found myself walking for 4 hours seeing the sights.  I was  in my solitary mode even through I had traveled with a police officer to the conference, he was busy with presentations etc.  As I was walking around I was actually feeling a bit agitated and knew I had to do something…..so what else would  any yogi do but go to a yoga class. I had the option to do a practice in my hotel room but I knew that I needed to go to studio and be with others.  I wound up at a beautiful old vintage studio similar to mine and I guess I was seeking that comfort and and security.   I was the first student to unroll the mat and settle down on it and take a great big breath in…soon after 6 other students had joined me. There was a young man that settled in beside me… I figured he was military. Anyway at one point in class our hands accidently touched and I could feel energy from him.  After class we were rolling up our mats and he turned to me put out his hand and said “Hi, my name is Jon”, I replied with a hand shake,..”Hi Jon, my name is Nicole…good to meet you”, and  then he took off like a flash.  The teacher later come up to me and said Jon never talks to anyone.  As I walking I was thinking about the yoga class and Jon and how much I needed them both that day to help me refocus and pull me out of my solitary shell mode….Jon reminded me of the guys that come to my classes….maybe Jon felt that I was missing my students.  Funny as I got home a few of the students contacted me and wrote….”I miss yoga” and I said “I know, I do too”…..but I think we also miss each other!!!  You don’t always have to be biologically related to be a family!!!

Namaste!!