I Didn't Realize Stress Had Taken Over—Until This Moment Changed Everything

When Stress Becomes "Not Normal"

The morning rush had become my routine—wake up, get moving, get through it. No space for stillness. No time to catch my breath.

Life was relentless. The weight of responsibility pressed down on me—holding everything together, making sure things kept running, making sure everyone else was okay. There was always something to do, someone who needed me, something to handle.

There was no room for pause.

And so, I kept going. Because stopping wasn’t an option.

Until one day, I realized—stress wasn’t leaving.

It had settled into my body. Tight shoulders. Shallow breath. Exhaustion that no amount of sleep could fix. Even in rare moments of quiet, my mind wouldn’t stop racing. There was always something to think about, something to plan, something to worry about.

I told myself this was just how life was. But deep down, I knew—I was running on empty.

Then, A Friend Came My Way.

She saw it.

The way I carried everything. The way I moved through my days—juggling, managing, holding it all. One afternoon, she sat with me, watched me rush through my thoughts, my sentences, my never-ending list of things to do.

Then, she said, “Come with me. There’s something I want you to try.”

I barely let her finish before the excuses spilled out.
But my kids…
But my work…
But I don’t have time…
But I need to…

Blah, blah, blah.

She didn’t argue. She just looked me in the eyes, placed her hands on my shoulders, and held me there.

That Pause.

I still remember it.

For the first time in so long, I wasn’t planning the next thing. I wasn’t rushing to the next task.

I was just there.

And in that moment, my body knew something before my mind did.

I need THAT.

I didn’t know exactly what that was, but I knew I had to say yes.

So I went.

I Stepped Onto the Dance Floor.

Hesitant. Uncertain.

But the moment the music started, something inside me stirred.

I moved.
I breathed.
I let go.

That day, I knew—this is what can take me out of the misery.
This is how I come back to myself.
This is what I can do.

So I said YES.

And I’ve been moving ever since.

From That Moment to Now.

I followed the path, step by step. I became a 5Rhythms teacher, a somatic movement educator.

And now, I lead others through the same journey.

Because I know what it feels like to carry it all.
And I know what it feels like to let it go.

Are You Ready to Move?

🌊 Join me at Aurras Waves – A 5Rhythms practice in San Francisco where movement becomes meditation, stress dissolves, and transformation unfolds.

📍 Thursdays, 7 PM, San Francisco

🌑 New Moon Ritual – A monthly virtual gathering blending somatic movement, expressive art, and intention-setting to realign with your body and the rhythm of the moon.

📍 Online, Monthly, San Francisco

Your body already knows the way. Are you ready to follow?

Visit to check out offerings and the 5Rhythms to begin.

#5Rhythms #MovementMeditation #StressRelief #SomaticHealing #BreatheMoveBe #LetGoAndMove #Embodiment #NewMoonRitual