Meet Kelley Rae Unger
Y4ED Community Member, Kelley Rae Unger
Meet this month's Y4ED Featured Community Member, Kelley Rae Unger. Kelley shares how she has found great comfort and learning in the Y4ED community.
"I learned about the Yoga for Eating Disorders Community when Jennifer published her first book, Body Mindful Yoga. As a yoga teacher who has been in recovery from an eating disorder for over 20 years, it was exciting for me to see other teachers thinking about yoga as a way to support people in reconnecting with their bodies in a compassionate way.
My interest in Jennifer's work led to my becoming a member of the first cohort of the Yoga and Eating Disorders Mentoring Group, where I met about 30 other teachers from all over the world who shared similar interests. It was early in the pandemic, and we met virtually. In addition to connecting me with other teachers also in recovery, the group provided a sense of real human connection during a time of deep isolation.
20+ years ago, I never would have imagined something like the Y4ED Facebook Community and the sense of connection to be found here. Back then, I felt alone and didn't see a lot of opportunities to connect with people who shared challenges similar to my own. It's inspiring to see members share their celebrations and challenges and offer each other support and encouragement. It's empowering to be a part of a group where it's comfortable to share openly with people who understand.
It's been a gift to be a part of the Y4ED community, and I'm grateful for all I've learned and continue to learn from Jennifer, the Y4ED teachers, and the members of this group every day."