Becoming a Vessel of Compassion and Understanding with Sari Velar
Joining our host Yuliana Kim-Grant on Phoenix Tales this Thursday, December 28, 2021, is Sari Velar, a Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist. Over 20 years ago, Sari turned to yoga as an alternative therapy after a life-threatening cancer diagnosis and a subsequent battle with an eating disorder and addiction. These days, Sari facilitates classes at local cancer and mental health treatment centers, hospitals, and with Warrior Flow TV, whose Foundation she also works at as the Director of Training and Education. As you will hear today, Sari credits the struggles she has worked through in her life with shaping her to become the remarkable woman she is today.
Sari begins the conversation by sharing the event that reshaped the course of her life - getting cancer at 19 while dealing with eating disorders - including the events that occurred during and after her cancer treatments and how these affected her illness. She also describes the social stigma she faced at this struggling time in her life as well as finding yoga during her later years and going on to become a yoga therapist to help others who have had experiences similar to hers. The episode rounds off with Sari talking about past historical figures she would love to spend an afternoon with - her parents when they were younger - to have honest conversations that would pave the way to healing.
Episode Highlights:
The challenging events that redirected the course of Sari’s life
Battling with cancer and an eating disorder at 19
Sari discusses having to grow faster following her diagnosis
Experiencing and coping with the social stigma in college
Falling into alcohol addiction
Getting into rehab
How to quiet the inner critic
Seeing her diagnosis and illnesses through a new lens
Finding out the root cause of her eating disorder
Making the transition to the yoga profession
Coming face to face with her mortality
A historical figure Sari would love to spend an afternoon with