Breaking Through the Shyness Barrier

by Sue-Anne
(Montreal, Quebec)

I believe my shyness started around the age of 12 when my parents split up. An intuitive I saw when I was 30 explained to me that I was in so much pain I shut down. I told myself that if I didn't let people get close to me then I couldn't get hurt.

I was ok around my close girlfriends but painfully shy with strangers and guys I thought were cute. :) I had little self confidence. Even when I was 20 I remember being in a store and marveling at a shopper chatting away with the sales clerk, wishing I could be the same way.

It was really when I began practicing yoga at 30 that an enormous transformation began to take place in my life. I started eating more healthy, my body became stronger and so did I. I read self help books, I figured out where the shyness came from and began to break through. Gradually over the years I pushed myself to do things to go over and talk to people to say what I needed to and at 38 I became a yoga teacher full time.

In 2005 I joined a road cycling club with over 450 members and became social director in 2008. Last year I was voted member of the year! The award is named for Mel Le Reverend, one of the steadiest riders who was a friend to all, he exemplified the spirit of the club with his enthusiasm and willingness to help. I am as proud of that award than I am of my university degree, it shows me how far I have come.