In a world often bustling with chaos and constant motion, the pursuit of balance and inner peace becomes a cherished endeavor. Trula Daugherty stands as a beacon of tranquility, a seasoned yoga and meditation teacher whose purpose transcends mere physical exercise. With a profound commitment to nurturing the well-being of older adults, Trula’s teachings resonate deeply, guiding her students on a transformative journey towards holistic health – mentally, physically, and spiritually. Through her online yoga and meditation classes, she extends a warm invitation to all seekers of growth and joy, offering a sanctuary where each day unfolds with the promise of renewal and self-discovery. Join Mystic Mag as we delve into the inspiring world of Trula Daugherty, where the wisdom of age meets the boundless potential of the present moment.
Can you describe a specific moment or experience where you felt the transformative power of yoga, meditation, or Reiki in your own life?
I can start by giving you something about each of them.
Meditation: It’s what I’ve been doing the longest. I started meditating when I was 12, so a long, long time ago, and it has evolved over the years. An example from the last few years would be a time when my husband was in the hospital, and I did not know if he was going to make it or not. I was very anxious and stressed out. Finally, I went into meditation and just asked for peace, calm, and a strong feeling of love came over me, along with divine peace. At that moment, it’s hard to explain, but I just knew that everything would be okay, whether he lived or died. And when I went to the hospital that day, they said he had had an upswing, so he did make it. That’s one example, but I’ve had many more.
Reiki: It has become a part of me. It’s something I do all the time, both for myself and for other people. I’ve seen some miracles through Reiki that have been very helpful. The first experience I had with it was probably back in 2002, feeling the atonement. The biggest one was the Karuna Reiki; it was very strong.
Yoga: I felt the transformative power of yoga when I first started taking yoga classes in the 1990s. After class, I felt calm and relaxed. I became aware of how making small changes in an asana transformed the feeling of the pose. There is so much more to yoga besides the asanas. Besides transforming our bodies, it transforms our spirit and how we think.
I became a teacher in 2012. It has evolved. I’m more interested in therapeutic yoga and helping people stay healthy as they age. I’m 70, it’s the simple things of life like looking over your shoulder, getting up and down off the floor, maintaining balance, strength, and flexibility that are important.
Can you elaborate on how you integrate breathing exercises, meditation, and distant Reiki into your daily routine? How do these practices contribute to your overall well-being?
Every morning, I get up at 3:00. I always read something positive to prepare for my day. I do specific breathing exercises before I go into meditation. Even before that, I always pray to ask what it is that I need to receive for this day to serve others. Then I do the breathing exercises, followed by meditation. After that, I have a list of people who want Reiki, and I send Reiki every single morning. The list changes, but I always have a list of people I’m working with.
What type of services do you offer?
I offer yoga classes, specifically focusing on slow and mindful practices. These classes are small and very personable, emphasizing breath to help you relax and promote healing. I also offer chair yoga, restorative yoga, and private classes. In addition to yoga, I teach meditation, with a Tuesday evening online class and a monthly meditation session that I started about three months ago. Before retiring two years ago from the corporate world, I conducted yoga, Reiki, and meditation sessions during evenings and weekends. Even during my corporate career, I made sure to offer meditation in whatever offices I worked in.
In what ways do you believe yoga, meditation, and Reiki can be beneficial for individuals dealing with physical ailments or undergoing medical treatment, based on your own experiences?
Meditation is very calming and helps to bring clarity. It keeps you from reacting quickly, slows you down, and makes you more aware and cognizant. It can also help to calm other people around you. There are many health benefits which have been documented. Lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, and decreasing anxiety are just a few.
I had an experience where I had a dog drag me down eight steps about six months ago, resulting in a concussion and a shoulder injury, but thankfully no broken bones. For someone my age, that’s huge. I attribute it to yoga because it strengthens your bones and keeps you flexible. Other exercises do too, but this has been my experience.
I had breast cancer five years ago this month. Reiki, meditation, and yoga helped me through that as well. So, based on my experiences, I like to share with others to help them stay healthy, positive in life, and to know that everything is as it should be and that everything will be okay.
As someone deeply connected to the concept of helping others through your practices, how do you ensure self-care and maintain boundaries in your own life and practice?
Well, I constantly take other training, and like I said, you know, I’m always reading books. Something positive in my morning experience is what keeps me balanced.
