Heartbreak was my lemon.  Finding myself and finding an inner strength, that I had never before discovered within me, was my lemonade.

He was “the one”.  I didn’t quite know that when we were together.  I just knew it felt right.  He was right.  The way in which he constantly told me how he felt about me was intense in the best possible way.  He even sent me poems every morning, so that just made me feel like he was made for me.

Because he made me feel so needed, I would try to be with him whenever possible and would put aside anything I wanted to do for myself just to see him. I didn’t realize how much of myself I was losing.

Then, out if nowhere, he came over one night and broke up with me.

It was only then that realized for the first time that I was truly in love with him.  I realized that solely by how much I was hurt when it was over.  It devastated me.

Although I’d had other boyfriends before that didn’t work out, my relationship with him was the first time I ever had my heart broken.  After the breakup, I felt emotionally numb but my body felt physical pain.

I was destroyed on the inside.  My first instinct when my relationship broke up was to either crawl into bed and not move.  I felt awful and I knew I did not want to feel this way.  I had to DO something.

I thought perhaps that dating would help me get my mind off of him, so I was very open to seeing other people.  Although, it was a bit uncomfortable at first and I felt like I was cheating on him.

Then I discovered Acro Yoga.  It was something I had been interested in for a while but hadn’t actually tried. I found that even if I was feeling awful, if I went to an Acro Yoga class, I felt better.

The transition took many months. There were some things that would make me feel better for short periods of time, so I thought I was coming out of it. But then I would feel terrible again.   Yet, every time I went to Acro Yoga, I gained more confidence and inner strength.  Doing Acro Yoga helped me build physical strength, which then helped with my self-confidence.  This amazing class, its energy and the people I shared the class with gave me a purpose that showed me I was great on my own. Finally, I had found myself.  My true being.

Looking back I realize I had spent all my time thinking about him … and that took away from everything I wanted to do for myself.

Eventually I was ready to have a new relationship. Time, attitude, and taking care of myself physically helped get me there.

In the end I am trying to look at the positive side of the whole experience.  I realize I was too young for such a serious relationship.  I am still learning how to balance it with my passion for my job, friends, family and fitness.  I now feel like I have a better idea of how to handle a relationship without losing myself.

Acro Yoga helped me get over the breakup.  Discovering my true sense of an empowered self is what will make me go forward in life stronger and better from now on!