Y12SR: Come As You Are by Hallie Thompson
In 2024, I experienced a lot of loss. Both my dad and my aunt passed away within a month of each other—my aunt after a long battle with pancreatic cancer and several months of hospice, and my dad unexpectedly from a heart attack. At the same time, I was deep in the process of my 200-hour yoga teacher training and, shortly after, my Y12SR certification. While it was really difficult to navigate it all, having yoga as an anchor during that time was incredibly important.
Some days I felt like sharing; other days, it was hard to even look my classmates in the eye. I couldn’t give anything my all at that point—I was spread too thin. But I kept going because it meant something to me, and I knew that what I was learning would matter later—both for myself and for the people I would eventually support.
I’ve been in recovery for over 11 years, and more recently, yoga brought a new kind of practice into my life—one I’m still learning. I’m not someone who finds meditation easy. I’m still figuring out how to use my breath, both on and off the mat. What struck me most during my teacher training was how many of the principles of yoga mirror the values of the 12 steps. It felt familiar but also challenging—I knew it was another path that could help me keep growing. That’s part of why I feel so connected to Yoga of 12-Step Recovery (Y12SR)—it shows me how to use the tools I’ve gained over the years in new ways so that I can show up, even when it feels impossible.
Y12SR is a space where yoga and recovery meet—combining movement, breathwork, and the principles of 12-step programs into a supportive, accessible practice. You don’t need experience with yoga or the 12 steps to be here. You just have to be willing to show up. In Y12SR, we typically swap out the word “God” in the Steps for “Love” to make the practice open to anyone. No matter what you believe, there’s space for you here. Recovery is bigger than one pathway. It’s about reconnecting—to your breath, your body, and to something steady when life feels anything but.
At our first Y12SR circle at Yoga Garden, we welcomed people from all kinds of backgrounds and experiences. Some were brand new to yoga, while others had long-standing practices. The common thread wasn’t a specific story—it was a shared understanding that growth happens in community. Those familiar with 12 step recovery have probably heard the phrase ‘progress not perfection’ and ‘we don’t do this alone’ (Personally, I’ve found both of these reminders to be incredibly helpful!) Healing doesn’t require perfection, it just requires your presence. And whether you think you have something to offer someone else or not or not, your presence truly helps every single person in the room.
We’ll be offering this practice monthly, and everyone is welcome—whether you or someone you love is in recovery from substance use, trauma, anxiety, burnout, co-dependency, or just the human experience.
Recovery isn’t just about abstaining. It’s about building a life that feels worth living. It’s about coming back to yourself—even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it’s messy. You don’t need to come in with answers. You don’t need to come in feeling strong. You just need to show up, exactly as you are.
In addition to the monthly Y12SR class, Hallie Thompson teaches Yogalates (a combination of yoga & pilates) every Monday at Yoga Garden from 5-6pm and Livestream Vinyasa Flow Yoga on Friday mornings from 7-8am.
