From panic attacks to peace: Amanda Lee Myers' yoga journey

Amanda Lee Myers’ journey with yoga started in her early 30s when she was suffering from panic attacks and anxiety.

“I didn’t want to go down a medical path to help me with my mental health problem, and that’s what led me to yoga,” Amanda told Region. “It was nearly 16 years ago.”

“I started reading a lot, saw yoga classes in Wagga, and devoted myself to practising at least three to four days a week.

“Within three months, there were big changes in my life physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It has changed many aspects of my life.”

After experiencing profound and life-altering changes, the owner of Wagga’s Simp-Lee Yoga and Massage Centre felt compelled to share her passion and decided to become a yoga teacher.

“It has such an impact on my life and my family – I was raising four kids at the time, looking after my husband and the house,” Amanda shared.

“Things got too busy and overloaded, but it taught me to be present, live in the moment and not have anxiousness about what might be coming.

“My body became stronger, and the connection is that when you have a strong physical body, your mind is stronger … you feel more capable of taking on more challenges in life.”

The 51-year-old attributes dismantling barriers and overcoming new life challenges to yoga.

The instructor also completed further studies to become a yoga therapist.

As a yoga therapist, she works one-on-one with people suffering from chronic conditions.

“Yoga therapist is like a connector between psychologist and physiotherapist … try and work what’s missing,” Amanda explained.

“A lot of the time, it’s digging deep into the spirituality and emotions of people from a long time ago to find out what’s blocking.

“I’m still studying, loving yoga and feeling like a baby yogi. There is so much to learn and explore all the time.

“There’s not a lot of money made out of it, but it’s a passion and the desire to help people, watch their lives change and become powerful in their own life.”

Amanda advises anyone who might feel intimidated to begin the practice, to “just get started”.

“Everything has a beginning. We are all beginners at some point in our life. Every yogi was a beginner,” she said.

“They say, ‘I’m not flexible’ – that’s why you’re coming to yoga.

“Get flexi not just with your body but with your life.

On International Yoga Day, Amanda celebrates yoga’s benefits, philosophy and wonders.

The annual celebration is held on 21 June, and this year, yogis worldwide are celebrating the tenth year with the theme ‘Yoga for Self and Society’.

Yoga, derived from the Sanskrit root ‘yuj’ (to join or unite), is widely considered an ‘immortal cultural outcome’ of the Indus Saraswati Valley civilisation – dating back to 2700 BC.

Through yoga, practitioners aim to overcome suffering, and attain moksha (liberation) or kaivalya (freedom).

The practice is said to have begun at the dawn of civilisation, with Lord Shiva, the first yogi (Adiyogi), imparting knowledge to the seven sages (Saptarishis) at Lake Kantisarovar in the Himalayas. These sages spread yogic science globally, with India developing the most complete yogic tradition through the efforts of the sage Agastya.

To find out more about yoga lessons and therapy with Amanda, visit Simp-Lee Yoga and Massage Centre, located at 24 Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga. It is open Monday through Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm and Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact:
Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14