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