On June 14, the Wilmington Yoga Center will be hosting a special class to help raise funds for a local nonprofit called Project Heal!

Amy DiPaola founded the Project HEAL, Wilmington, NC Chapter in 2010. After struggling with anorexia for 9 years, Amy didn’t believe that a full recovery was possible. Yet, she pressed forward and with the support of her husband, treatment team and friends and family, Amy is fully recovered today! Amy’s journey has inspired her to help empower other women and help those struggling. Project HEAL has allowed her to shine as a beacon for recovery, and she wants that love and light to reach others!

One way Project HEAL helps women is through its scholarship program. Project HEAL funds inpatient, residential and outpatient treatment for eating disorder sufferers who want to recover, but do not have the financial means to do so.  With eating disorders having one of the highest mortality rates of all mental illnesses, and requiring intense treatment that can cost upwards of $30,000 per month, the scholarships are vital.

Project HEAL and its members are motivated to be actively involved in eating disorder awareness because Amy trusts in the healing process and believes that anyone can one day be free of the torment of an eating disorder.

What does being free and recovered mean to Project HEAL? It means:

1. Claiming one’s life back, in all aspects. It means leaving behind the feelings of alienation and isolation. It means feeling excited about spending time with others, talking with loved ones and being able to establish new relationships.

2. Not being fearful of feeling emotions, whether positive or negative. Knowing that it is okay to feel happy or sad. All human beings have emotions and they were not meant to be suppressed.

3. Regularized eating behaviors according to generalized eating norms. This means being okay when eating a little more and a little less. Enjoying food, and not feeling guilty about it. Tasting food. Not worrying about the scale going up or down or perhaps even going on the scale at all. Reaching a place where food and weight no longer playing a predominant role in one’s life.

4. Honoring one’s body, in all gloriousness, regardless of imperfections.

5. Being kind to oneself. Insecurity is normal and a part of life. Full recovery is about feeling well enough in one’s own skin and not letting insecurities take control.  Valuing self-worth and individual uniqueness.

6. Feeling better about life and the future. Letting go. Feeling hopeful. Enjoying.

7. Getting back to normal; getting back to life before the eating disorder. Following old dreams or chasing new ones. Pursuing hopes and aspirations.

8. Realizing that the eating disorder does not have to define one’s path for life and accepting that it can simply be a part of the past, not the present or future.

9. Feeling more at peace. Being able to deal with the difficulties that life can sometimes offer. Being able to go with the flow. Feeling more freed of the thoughts that once tormented life. Feeling happy in one’s health. Being able to deal with the fluctuations that daily can bring.

In support of Project HEAL, the Wilmington Yoga Center will make this coming Saturday’s Basic Flow class at 9:45 a.m. a Pay-What-You-Can class and all proceeds will benefit Project Heal. Please join Yoga Instructor, Mandy Nicolau, in promoting a great cause! A $10 donation is suggested for this event.

For more information on this class, please visit https://wilmingtonyogacenter.com/classes/yoga-class-schedule/

For more information regarding Project HEAL, please visit http://www.theprojectheal.org/chapter/north-carolina/