Why I Became a Health Coach and Yoga Teacher
It all started with an interest in improving my own health. About fifteen years ago, I was tired, lethargic, and feeling stuck—both physically and emotionally. My diet was the Standard American Diet, heavy on fast food and processed snacks, and exercise was the furthest thing from my routine. I didn’t recognize the person I saw in the mirror, and I knew something had to change.
At first, I turned to running. It didn’t go well initially, but over time, it became an outlet for my emotions and a way to focus on my health. Around the same time, my best friend Jayne, who was more like a sister to me, was diagnosed with cancer. To cope and stay connected to her, I dedicated my running to her, sharing every mile as a way to uplift her spirits. Her joy and encouragement fueled my determination to keep going.
After Jayne passed, I continued running to honor her memory and improve my own health. But as time went on, my focus began to shift. Running gave me clarity, but I started exploring other ways to care for my body and mind. My journey led me to yoga and mindfulness, which not only improved my physical health but also opened doors to emotional healing that I didn’t even realize I needed.
How Yoga and Mindfulness Transformed My Life
Much of my journey stems from the lingering effects of childhood trauma. Those early experiences shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand until adulthood, showing up as PTSD, ADHD, and bouts of depression, as well as a deep-seated tendency to put others’ needs before my own. While those challenges felt overwhelming at times, they ultimately became the foundation for my healing journey. Through yoga, mindfulness, and somatic practices, I began to unravel the layers of trauma, finding clarity, calm, and a deeper connection to myself.
Yoga became more than a practice—it became a lifeline. Through mindful movement, meditation, and breathwork, I found a sense of calm and presence that I had never experienced before. These practices taught me to listen to my body, reflect on my emotions, and release the stress and grief I had been carrying. Yoga helped me process my trauma and gave me tools to navigate life with a clearer, calmer mind.
As I deepened my practice, I began to see the connection between yoga and somatic healing—the way trauma is stored in the body and how mindful movement and breath can help release it. I’ll never forget something a yoga guru once told me: “If yoga doesn’t change your life, it isn’t really yoga.” That sentiment stayed with me and inspired me to take a deeper dive into what yoga is truly about. It wasn’t just about the poses; it was about transformation. That’s when I decided to become a certified yoga teacher. Through this training, I discovered how the principles of yoga could be woven into my daily life, not just on the mat, but in how I showed up for myself and others.
Why I Chose to Help Others Heal
My professional journey as a Licensed Massage Therapist for over 15 years already gave me insight into the connection between the body and overall well-being. Adding yoga teacher training and health coaching certifications to my skill set allowed me to help clients in a more holistic way. These experiences helped me understand how interconnected our mental, emotional, and physical well-being truly are.
Over time, my personal healing journey, combined with my professional training, laid the foundation for what I now call the HEAL Method. This framework integrates holistic healing, empowering tools, awareness development, and living fully to help individuals move from surviving to thriving. Helping clients understand how practices like yoga, breathwork, and meditation can release stored trauma, reduce anxiety, and foster emotional resilience has become my life’s work.
Each session, whether on the mat or in conversation, is about empowering others to reclaim their strength and live with more clarity, presence, and joy.
Start Your Healing Journey with Me
My journey started with a desire to change my own life, and it has grown into a passion for helping others do the same. If you’re ready to explore how yoga, mindfulness, and somatic healing can transform your life, I’d love to walk alongside you on your path to healing.
As a starting point, I’d like to share my free eBook, filled with tools and practices that helped me on my journey.
HEALing Starts Here: A Mindfulness Guide To Begin Your Healing Journey.
Healing is a journey, and you don’t have to do it alone. Let’s take the first step together.
Tony Hanneken | NOV 18, 2024