Hi Stafford Street Energizers,

 I had a thought today and I wanted to share it with you.   As I was pushing myself looking in the mirror and seeing the change in myself, I finally looked at myself today as someone who is starting to enjoy life again. I'm starting to get the strength and energy back that I used to have before my injury.   I am starting to do things that I haven't done since before my injury.  I love it.  I am getting my life back!!

 I just had to thank all the staff who treat everyone there as someone who is special.  You know peoples names, you know a little something about them, or maybe even more. 

 When I left the studio, I started thinking about the following.  About 10 years ago, I used to spend 3 to 4 hours in the gym every weekday after work.  Work was also a very physical job, twelve to fourteen km of walking, stepping, and in the winter avoiding slipping.    I would walk into the gym,  no one would say "hi".  I may have gotten a smile out of the girl at the reception desk where you check in.  No one ever came to help me, no one ever came to tell me how to use the machines properly or how to stretch or how to do an exercise, no one ever came and said, "Try doing it this way, its more effective".  No one seemed to know I was even there.    I go to your studio and I feel like I am somebody who counts, I am corrected or tweaked every once in a while and boy, it feels good to know that someone notices and cares.   I receive constant instruction and reminders of just one more thing that I may have forgotten or missed or didn't know.  I am acknowledged.  Thank you.

 Going to the gym almost felt like a burden, going to hot yoga seems to be something I crave, something I look forward to.  It was a struggle to convince myself to go to the gym and for hot yoga, the minute I get home, I pack my bag up to be ready for the next time I go. 

 And the thing, I am most amazed at is, I spend 90 mins 2 or 3 times a week doing hot yoga, not hours upon hours upon hours in the gym, and the change I see and feel in my body, my mind and my spirit is phenomenal compared to what I felt doing the gym thing.   When I left the gym, I was tired, wiped out, sore, all I wanted was sleep.  With hot yoga, I am rejuvenated, feeling strong (OK, my knee still hurts), feeling like I have accomplished something.  I feel amazing. 

 Food, Wow is all I can say.   I am craving things that are good for me, fruits, veggies, etc.  I am no longer picking up fast food after the gym cause I am too wiped out to cook. 

 Since my injury, I haven't been able to dance, I love, love, love dancing.  Now I am doing a little dancing around in my living room!!  LOL Thank You!!

 Thank you for always energizing me.   You may not know it, but I wonder how many people whose lives you all have changed for the better because of one little thing you may have said or done.   

 Thank you all so much you are all amazing, right from the teachers to the people who keep the place so clean, to the cheery "Hello's at the front desk,  

Thank you, Cheri