My name is Quinn Burke. I’m 23 years old and I’ve been coming consistently to Embody GR for
almost four years. I can say with full transparency that Embody GR has saved my life and continues to support my healing journey.
Since I was 11 years old I’ve struggled with severe depression and anxiety, accompanied by persistent thoughts of suicide. I’ve transformed my whole being because of this community. Four years ago, I dropped out of college to save my life and focus on healing. Since then, I’ve gone back, and am close to earning my associates degree. This is my family. My medicine and safe place to go. I do not want to die anymore. I have a tribe of support, love, and acceptance. The biggest barrier preventing me from attending a yoga or meditation class before Embody was the cost. Embody crushes this barrier by making yoga free and accessible to EVERYONE. I know that this is SO important for many of my friends that go to Embody. Of course, I could practice yoga for free on my own in my room by myself, but that is often lonely and I quickly lost motivation. Dana and the community of teachers who lead Embody, along with the incredible folks who show up each week to support each other make this community what it is.
A community of healing, loving kindness, gratitude, and service.
Embody GR is a priority to me. It’s blocked off in my week. Showing up every Wednesday is a "yes” to healing. A yes to breaking down walls of shame, self-doubt, pain, anger, and sadness. I even got the opportunity to attend an extremely effective therapy program thanks to the generosity and kindness of a tribe member.
almost four years. I can say with full transparency that Embody GR has saved my life and continues to support my healing journey.
Since I was 11 years old I’ve struggled with severe depression and anxiety, accompanied by persistent thoughts of suicide. I’ve transformed my whole being because of this community. Four years ago, I dropped out of college to save my life and focus on healing. Since then, I’ve gone back, and am close to earning my associates degree. This is my family. My medicine and safe place to go. I do not want to die anymore. I have a tribe of support, love, and acceptance. The biggest barrier preventing me from attending a yoga or meditation class before Embody was the cost. Embody crushes this barrier by making yoga free and accessible to EVERYONE. I know that this is SO important for many of my friends that go to Embody. Of course, I could practice yoga for free on my own in my room by myself, but that is often lonely and I quickly lost motivation. Dana and the community of teachers who lead Embody, along with the incredible folks who show up each week to support each other make this community what it is.
A community of healing, loving kindness, gratitude, and service.
Embody GR is a priority to me. It’s blocked off in my week. Showing up every Wednesday is a "yes” to healing. A yes to breaking down walls of shame, self-doubt, pain, anger, and sadness. I even got the opportunity to attend an extremely effective therapy program thanks to the generosity and kindness of a tribe member.
I’ve found my voice and confidence to speak up more often. I’ve found passion and purpose in
being an ally to many, most recently the immigrant led movement, Movimiento Cosecha GR. I speak up for the respect, dignity, and permanent protection that all 11 million under documented immigrants in the United States deserve. I make it my purpose to use my privilege for good. I stand as an ally with the black and brown community, my LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors, mother earth, the incarcerated, and mentally ill folks. I am no longer silent about the injustices I see in my community and abroad. I credit Embody GR and the friends I’ve made there to the insurmountable improvement to my mental health.
It’s funny how Dana says that she pulled me out of my comfort zone asking me to show up for
others and myself, and I painstakingly said “yes”, and then “yes” again, until saying yes and showing up became a habit. I’ve dedicated hundreds of hours of service work to my community since attending Embody GR. I can’t say for sure the exact number of hours since the beginning, but as of October 2018, I’ve estimated to have served at least 300 hundred hours.
It’s a strange feeling to feel something instead of nothing. Happy instead of sad. Soft in the chaos.
I spend less time isolating and more time participating. If everyone had access to something this
incredible I think the world would be a kinder place. It’s all about community and love. I show up for
myself and others because I’m inspired to live.
Namaste,
Quinn
being an ally to many, most recently the immigrant led movement, Movimiento Cosecha GR. I speak up for the respect, dignity, and permanent protection that all 11 million under documented immigrants in the United States deserve. I make it my purpose to use my privilege for good. I stand as an ally with the black and brown community, my LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors, mother earth, the incarcerated, and mentally ill folks. I am no longer silent about the injustices I see in my community and abroad. I credit Embody GR and the friends I’ve made there to the insurmountable improvement to my mental health.
It’s funny how Dana says that she pulled me out of my comfort zone asking me to show up for
others and myself, and I painstakingly said “yes”, and then “yes” again, until saying yes and showing up became a habit. I’ve dedicated hundreds of hours of service work to my community since attending Embody GR. I can’t say for sure the exact number of hours since the beginning, but as of October 2018, I’ve estimated to have served at least 300 hundred hours.
It’s a strange feeling to feel something instead of nothing. Happy instead of sad. Soft in the chaos.
I spend less time isolating and more time participating. If everyone had access to something this
incredible I think the world would be a kinder place. It’s all about community and love. I show up for
myself and others because I’m inspired to live.
Namaste,
Quinn
RSS Feed
