I am Rosalyn and Mary has been  one of my yoga student now for three years.  I took Mary along as my case study when I was completing my Advanced Training after taking my Basic Training with the school.
 
When Mary first came to my class, she was the one who stayed behind with a whole host of physical and pyschological problems and I was not sure whether she would stick with her practice.  But Mary religiosly turned up for practice with enthusiasm!!!
 
During the advanced course we undertook to follow one or two case studies, these being from our students  of our classes who were having particular physical difficulties, so I approached Mary and asked her if she would like to come along to a workshop, I explained that this would be a fantastic opportunity to be seen by Andy and Phaedra and all the other students on the course and that their observations could be of immense value, and Mary was a willing participant.
 
As you read Marys profile above of Mary's constant tooing and froing from doctors surgeries to hospital visits and the vast array of potions, pills and remedial work she was given it
is almost 'mindblowing' no wonder she was in complete turmoil !
 
I still have Mary's original photographs of her 'ironing board' back and she really was so full of fear!  Now three years down the line she has been practicing for 1hr 20min per day and she does not miss a day, getting up earlier so she can do a morning routine and then again in the evening.  Her progress has been amazing, a testimony to the value of practice as 'holistic medicine' Mary is off all her medication and her back is fluid and mobile, her spinal movement in forward, back, side and rotation has improved 100%  Mary found the answer to her problems through Yoga!!!!!!!!!!!!  She began to live her life again.
 
A couple of months ago, Mary missed a couple of my classes, which was unusual, and indeed I got a phone call from her. Mary had discovered a tiny tiny lump in her breast whilst doing her breathing practice one night at home.  Now instead of plunging into the deepest depression, she was adamant that she could 'ride this body blow' and literally 'keep afloat' with mind set that she has developed through practice.  When I spoke to her she was just as upset that the impending masectomy would curtail her yoga practice!  Already she was planning to remould her practice after her op!!!  She told the hospital team the City all about her practice and how it keeps her back mobile and the sciatica from rearing its ugly head!
Her daughter has also been posted to Iraq but now instead of turning to anti-depressants and getting all worked up, she is able to cope much better.  Her yoga practice and willpower have helped her get stronger mentally too!  
 
Mary is on the long road to recovery,  she knows this will take the best part of one year, but her goal burns brightly, to get back to her full practice as  soon as possible.  Mary asked that I tell her story to all my other students in my other classes.
 
In most classes you get the the odd student who really has the
mindset to see that yoga really can change your life, free you from the  chains of medication  - ease alot of aches and pains,
lift your spirits and help you cope with life and all its trials and tribulations.  

All you need is some of what Mary has - tenancity, strength of character, perseverance and a warrior spirit,  without these qualities you dont get to reap the rewards, for never has it been so true that what you put in you really do get out too!
 
Well done Mary, you are a shining example to all of us.