By Sarah Millman
Meet Carolyn! An MLPC member from the UK!
Whether its practicing yoga in her home using one of the MLP’s on-demand videos, speaking at one of the Sober Girls Club meetings, participating in the 30 Hour Sober Curious Yoga Teacher Training or completing the 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, Carolyn has proved, time and time again, that she is actively involved in the Mindful Life Practice community.
I decided to interview Carolyn in order to learn a little bit more about her sober journey and her role as a sober coach, as well as the path that led her to pursue her Yoga Teacher Certification with the MLP this past summer in Bali, Indonesia. Here’s what she said…
Tell us a little bit about your background with sobriety:
I had my last alcoholic drink on the 31st of December of 2020. I was 58 years old and feeling sad, lonely, and generally lost. I was unable to cope with my feelings of loss and grief after the death of my best friend at the end of 2016 followed by the death of my dear youngest brother, just 8 months later, in 2017. My brother had lost his battle with alcohol, and I was feeling ashamed that I was using alcohol to try to numb out my sadness. I was in a real mess, so I decided to give myself a break from alcohol by trying “Dry January” to see how I felt at the end of the month.
A few weeks later, I knew that I would be taking a much longer break from drinking and at around 6 months, I knew that I was not going to drink again. At 9 months, I ‘outed’ myself on my social media accounts. I no longer felt the shame that I had been carrying for years. I had found communities and shared my feelings with others on the same path, and I was feeling strong enough to talk about my sober journey. I became proudly sober.
My professional career meant that I had 30 years of working in the field of cognitive behavioural therapy, but I wanted to learn more about the specialism of sobriety. During my second year of sobriety, I qualified as a sober coach, and I added to my skillset by completing a second sober coaching award. I started my business of sober coaching and took semi-retirement from my full-time career.
When did you first become involved with The Mindful Life Practice? What experiences did you have with the MLPC prior to enrolling in the YTT program this past summer?
During my first year of sobriety, I met Alex at a meeting for a sober group where I was volunteering. I loved her energy and thought I would have a try at doing this “yoga thing” that she was so enthusiastic to share!
My previous experience of yoga had been at a class that I had attended in my forties, where I was left feeling inadequate and unable to attain the poses that the teacher was demonstrating. Alex’s classes were different! I felt relaxed, and I was able to do the beginner’s classes.
The benefits of a consistent yoga practice
I started to practice Alex’s beginner’s videos, and I began to feel really good emotionally after practicing, so I decided to join the MLPC. I loved the calming energy of the meetings, the meditations, the sharing, the journaling, and the friends that I made. Yoga became a key item in my sober toolbox.
Newfound skills and navigating grief
I completed Alex’s 30 Hour Sober Curious Yoga Teacher Training, which equipped me to lead sharing circles, and I began leading circles for the MLPC. I enjoyed the circles so much that I did a further course on leading circles with Donna Lancaster, author of The Bridge and Wise Words for Women, and I had plans to lead my own circles on a professional basis, as well, until my personal circumstances changed when my mother became unwell, and I moved in to look after her.
My mother passed away in April 2023. One of the last things that my mum said to me was, “Have you done your yoga yet today?,” and a few minutes later she was gone.
I spent the rest of the year navigating my grief, and yoga continued to be an important aspect of keeping my mental health from going downhill.
Additionally, during 2023, I led my own retreat in Bali, as this had been planned before my mum passed, and I did not want to let down the guests. Alex taught the daily yoga at my retreat, and I was delighted to be in her company again.
Leading retreats for women is something that I am passionate about. I am leading a sold out
retreat in October of 2024. I care very deeply for the guests who choose to place their trust in me, and I try to ensure that they have an experience of a lifetime and go home feeling rested and empowered, with a new group of women that they can call friends.
What was your experience like during the MLP 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Bali? What new skills and/or knowledge do you now possess? What did you learn about yourself?
Towards the end of 2023, a couple of people had asked me if I was considering doing a YTT, and I dismissed the idea, thinking that I was just not ‘’good enough’ to do it. But, the seeds had been planted, and I began thinking about it more and more.
I knew that when I had started practicing in 2021, my 58-year-old-body was quite stiff, but I could feel a little flexibility and strength coming in, so I kept practicing. I then reached out to Alex to have a Zoom call to ask her whether she thought I would be able to do a YTT. Alex’s belief in me gave me the final impetus that I needed to go for it!
The greatest gift
The experience of doing the 200-hour YTT in Bali was one of the greatest gifts I have ever given to myself. Every day, I participated in morning meditation, a vinyasa class, an evening yin class, and many lectures. I was able to fully experience the camaraderie and loving support of the other students while forming friendships. All of these opportunities resulted in this program being one of the richest experiences that I have ever had.
Overcoming barriers
I did ‘hit a wall’ on about day 6, where I thought that I would not be able to continue. I knew that this was caused by a limiting belief, and I had to take myself off to journal and work my way through it. This was an incredible moment for me, as I battled my own demons and found the strength to continue. The loving support of the group also helped me through!
A newfound appreciation for the morning
“Early mornings have never been my favourite time of the day, but I soon found myself not minding getting up at 6am, and I found a new appreciation of experiencing my world waking up. The sunrise, the birds singing, the noise of the workers in the rice fields, whilst practicing our meditation, were all magical moments.”
Carolyn also shared why she decided to sign up for the MLP’s Yoga Sutra Study course this fall (a class that can be taken independently or as part of the requirements for the 300 Hour Advanced YTT.
“”During the 200 Hour YTT, we had some incredible discussions about The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and I found myself hungry to know more about the history and philosophy of yoga, so I am excited to continue my learning.”
Do you have any new and exciting plans now that you have your Yoga Teacher certification?
Now that I have my certification, I am planning to start my own class in person in my home town. I will lead a restorative class, with some of the less challenging asanas, and some meditation and breathwork. I will continue to see clients in my sober coaching business, and I’m certain that my newly gained knowledge in the deep dive into the Sutras will be useful in helping my clients to explore their relationship with alcohol, as well as other aspects of their lives that they bring into the coaching sessions.
Do you have any advice for anyone who is sober-curious or new to sobriety?
For anyone who is sober curious or new to sobriety, I would say that the first thing that they should do is establish their reasons for wanting this change. They should consider, for example, how alcohol is affecting their lives, as well as the benefits that they envision gaining if they become alcohol-free.
I would recommend that they find a tribe of people who are on this journey towards improving their lives. Community was key to my success. Feeling less alone, less ashamed, and more accepted was hugely beneficial. As Ann Voskamp states, “shame dies when stories are told in safe spaces”.
I also took my journey very seriously and approached it as if I was completing a PhD! I read all that I could about alcohol: fiction and fact. I worked with a sober coach, listened to podcasts (including Sober Yoga Girl) and downloaded sober apps. I journaled, organized sober meet-ups, discovered hobbies, and started to learn to love myself after years of self-neglect. I gave myself rewards for reaching goals and established boundaries!
What would you to say to someone who is considering participating in a Yoga Teacher Training program, but isn’t completely sure if it is right for him/her?
Do your research! Look at the course, decide if it aligns with your preferences, consider if you want to do it online, in person, over a longer period of time, or as an intensive program.
I did a lot of research before settling on The Mindful Life Practice, and it was the best decision for me. Of course there were challenges, but none of them were insurmountable, I had practiced for some time before attending the program, but I am 61, so I knew that I would need to get to a certain level of fitness beforehand. There was also an element of discipline: the early mornings, the long days, and the daily practice, but there were also the beautiful surroundings, the comfort of my room, the delicious food, and the feelings of nurturing and support that were provided by the students and teachers.
Learn more about Carolyn’s coaching services by visiting https://www.carolynclark coaching.com. Follow Carolyn on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/soberhappysixties, or reach out to her via email at hello@carolynclarkcoaching.com
ls Club meetings, participating in the 30 Hour Sober Curious Yoga Teacher Training or completing the 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, Carolyn has proved, time and time again, that she is actively involved in the Mindful Life Practice community.
I decided to interview Carolyn in order to learn a little bit more about her sober journey and her role as a sober coach, as well as the path that led her to pursue her Yoga Teacher Certification with the MLP this past summer in Bali, Indonesia. Here’s what she said…
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