By Sofia Moreau

Meet an inspirational woman and acclaimed athlete who discovered the transformative power of yoga as she battled adversity. In a candid discussion, we learned about her journey from a successful hurdler to a celebrated yoga instructor all while living with multiple sclerosis.

She was diagnosed in her teens immediately after a medical episode that affected her performance in the 2022 World Athletics Championships and the Commonwealth Games. Adding to her challenges, she suffered a stress fracture in her left fibula in 2017, which temporarily ended her hurdlers’ career. Yet, five years on, she’s fitter and mentally stronger than ever, largely attributable to the influence of yoga in her life.

“Had it not been for my injury and MS diagnosis, I wouldn’t be a yoga teacher today,” she reflects. The immense imbalance and stiffness in her body prompted her to pursue yoga on her physiotherapist’s recommendation. As she found herself unable to train for nine weeks, yoga surfaced as her panacea for movement. The initial experiences may have been tough but the improved coordination with every session had her coming back for more.

The former hurdler began to place her focus on yoga’s physical benefits. Recognizing the imbalances in her body, particularly the weight bearing left leg in hurdling, she started targeted practices. But, the wonders of Yoga didn’t stop at physical equilibrium. She experienced significant mental health benefits too, providing her respite from her failures at the 2019 World Championships and the stress of her MS diagnosis.

Inspired to deepen her knowledge, she undertook a yoga training course and even visualized herself as a yoga teacher. Little did she know, the dream would soon turn into a reality when she received her teaching certification and started offering local classes in North London.

When the global pandemic pushed everyone indoors, she moved her classes online. The positive response from her athlete followers encouraged her to make this a weekly feature for 12 weeks, ultimately leading her to teach on a leading fitness app, Fiit. Her ‘Yoga for Runners’ classes have been a hit, helping her students understand the importance of engaging and stretching their muscles while mobilizing their joints.

That said, her yoga journey has far from eclipsed her athletic pursuits. Striking a balance between both roles, she maintains her training schedule while incorporating yoga into her recovery regime. She attributes her athletic prowess now to her flexible hamstrings and the warm-up routine she follows, a diligent combination of simple Yoga poses.

Additionally, yoga has been instrumental in keeping her humble, formed another passion outside the single-minded pursuit of athletics, and even lent a joyful aura that she believes contributes to her swift strides on the track. Her sister, also a professional 400m runner, has been a constant supporter in her life’s journey, doubly so in times of less fortune.

The twists and turns in her journey are a testament to her unwavering spirit and the therapeutic tools Yoga can provide. Where it takes her next, only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure, her journey has marked an inspiring path for many aspiring athletes, robustly intertwining sports and yoga.

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