From Fear to Freedom: The Quiet Strength in Vulnerability

For a long time, I was afraid to speak my truth. Abuse left me small, voiceless, and disconnected from myself. I learned to please others at the cost of my own authenticity, until my soft voice became only a whisper.

Sadly, my story is not unique. In the U.S., more than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime (The Hotline). Many survivors never disclose their experiences at all. And when they do, the fear of being met with blame, disbelief, or even further harm is very real—up to 90% of survivors report negative reactions after sharing their truth.

This is the silence I lived in for too long. But yoga gave me a way back home—not just into my body, but into my life, my voice, and my power. Healing has shown me that there is profound strength in vulnerability. Today, I share this as an invitation: to align with the principles of yoga, to embrace your truth, and to reclaim your power—whether you’ve experienced abuse or not.

My Story

For some time, Fairyland was under a cloud of fear. If I showed my bleeding open heart with total vulnerability, how can I protect myself from the darkness that was all consuming around me. I once placatated out of fear. I softened my voice and abandoned myself to survive. The desire to make others happy was so strong that it overshadowed my own needs. I thought that by fitting into this mold and conforming, I could survive.

But survival isn't the same as truly living. It took deep courage to confront my fears before I realized that real healing comes from standing firmly in the truth again and again and again. I learned that saying "no" is not only acceptable but necessary for my well-being. And yes, NO means NO- standing ten toes down. You should never have to scream it into the face of your abuser to accept that this is in fact the harsh reality. It became clear that I could embrace my authentic self without fear of judgment. It became clear that I should embrace my authentic self without a care in the world what others think because I am kind, loving, tender, gentle, funny, and free spirited. I stopped consuming others hopeless beliefs, insecurities and anxieties to started choosing honesty, safety, and self-respect.

Healing began the moment I chose to stop shrinking. I decided to honor my voice, my values, and my worth. This path has not been easy but it has been essential and anything that's real takes time. I discovered that vulnerability is a source of strength, not weakness, and that embracing it allows us to empower ourselves.

The Yogic Lens: Principles That Guided Me Home

Yoga is often seen as just physical exercise or stretching, but it encompasses so much more. It offers valuable philosophies that can guide us through life's challenges and life's magical moments. The principles of yoga served as my compass, helping me navigate the complexities of healing. Here's some values that are non-negotiable to me now:

Ahimsa (Non-Violence/Harm)

Ahimsa, or non-violence, taught me that saying "no" is a form of self-love. Setting clear boundaries allows me to create a healing space for myself. For instance, when I started declining invitations that weren't genuinely appealing to me, I noticed a reduction in stress and a significant increase in my overall happiness. When I stopped putting energy into hatred, self-loathing, dark energy humans, I started seeing the blessings of life itself. I instantly had a sparkle inside my soul saying, "You are divine love. You are safe. YOU ARE MAGIC."

Svadhyaya (Self-Study)

The principle of Svadhyaya, or self-study, prompted me to face my reality with kindness. Pride and ego will deny you of truth. I was afraid of being a victim of my circumstance. This allowed me to feel safe to surrender to the present. Through journaling and reflection, I discovered patterns in my own behavior that were limiting me. For example, I recognized that I often compromised my dreams for others' expectations. Acknowledging this was the first step toward genuine healing and living.

Tapas (Discipline)

Tapas, or discipline, became crucial as I formed new habits. Abuse can feel like an addictive cycle—it traps the nervous system in patterns that are difficult to break. Survivors are not at fault for being caught in those cycles. Just as an addict must change people, places, and things to rewire neural pathways, I too needed new rhythms to heal. I began implementing daily practices: my morning meditation and evening walks with my pups. Every single action, I slowed it down in a methodical way. The words I spoke (to others and myself) were only kind and full of love. These small, consistent changes became my stability. In fact, studies show that regular physical activity can boost mental health by over 30%, reinforcing my belief in the power of routine.

Dharma (Aligned Action)

Dharma, translated as “aligned action/purpose”, became a compass for me. It reminded me that I was not defined by the harm done to me, but by the choices I make in each moment. Living in dharma meant making decisions rooted in my true self—decisions that honored my values rather than my fears. With every choice to speak gently, to walk away from what no longer served me, to stay present with my breath, I experienced a deeper sense of freedom and authenticity. Dharma taught me that alignment is liberation: when my actions reflect my inner truth, I step fully into the life I was always meant to live.

Practices That Helped Me Reclaim Power

Healing was not just about recovery—it was about remembering myself.It meant reshaping the way I thought, felt, and moved through the world. I began leaning into practices that nourished self-love and genuine connection, practices that brought me back home to my body and my spirit. Trauma doesn’t only live in memory—it lives in the body. Abuse and unprocessed pain can weave themselves into the fascia, the connective tissue that holds and supports us. That’s why sometimes emotions surface during a stretch, or tears arrive uninvited in savasana. The body keeps score in ways the mind cannot. This is just the beginning of the conversation. In my next post, I’ll dive deeper into how trauma gets stored in the fascia and how mindful movement, yoga, and breathwork can help release what has been held for far too long.

Here are some of the touchstones that carried me through my healing:

• Breath: Mindfully slowing my breath was like fine tuning an instrumental; calming my mind. Each inhale became a reminder that I was present and capable, while each exhale helped me release built-up tension.

  
  

• Community: I found support in friends who accepted me as I truly am, without the façade. This sense of belonging offered a pathway for vulnerability and healing. Research indicates that strong social ties can increase longevity by 50%, affirming the importance of connection in our lives.

  
  

• Physical Asana: Among various poses, Tadasana (Mountain Pose) stood out as particularly grounding. Stretching towards the ceiling in this pose filled me with a sense of strength and resilience that carried into my daily life.

  
  

I’ve come to understand trauma and PTSD shape the brain in similar ways. The nervous system gets stuck in survival mode—always scanning, always on edge, as if the danger never ended. It isn’t weakness; it’s the brain doing its best to protect us. Healing has been about reminding my body and mind that safety is possible again, slowly retraining those pathways with compassion and patience.

In the darkest moments, when I felt surrounded by despair, I found hope through these practices. Each step brought me closer to reclaiming my power and rediscovering the light within.

Offering for You

If you are in a place of pain, know this: you are not broken, this hopeless feeling isn't forever. You are inherently worthy of love and respect simply for being you. Remember, you cannot heal overnight. One breath, one boundary, one honest action at a time is enough. It is a winding road with each step holding its own significance full of twists and turns.

Embrace your vulnerability as it is a profound source of strength. Allow yourself the grace to heal at your own pace, and know that you are not alone in this. Support is always available, and every step taken towards healing is a step towards empowerment.

A Journey of Empowerment and Authenticity

Healing through vulnerability is a courageous journey that asks us to meet ourselves with compassion and face our fears. My story is just one among many, but it reminds me—and maybe you—that we have the capacity to reclaim our power and live authentically.

This is why I teach yoga today—not just for strength or flexibility, but as a practice of remembering our wholeness. If my story resonates with you, I invite you to breathe with me, and to know in your heart: you are never alone.

Resources for Support

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please reach out. Here are some other resources that can provide help and support:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.) – Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788 | thehotline.org

• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) – Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) | rainn.org

• National Sexual Assault Hotline – Free, confidential support 24/7

• National Child Abuse Hotline – 1-800-422-4453 | childhelp.org

• Find a Local Shelter or Advocate – domesticshelters.org offers a searchable database by zip code

• International Resources – hotpeachpages.net lists hotlines and services around the world