Abroad Diaries: Lillian Coan

THE POWER OF YOGA AND SELF DISCOVERY

Studying in Lisbon, Portugal is, without a doubt, one of the most transitional experiences I have ever been a part of. Living in a new city surrounded by an unfamiliar group of students around my age, I was pushed beyond my comfort zone to make new friends and develop new habits. And develop new habits, I did! Were it not for Yoga Room Lisbon, my abroad experience would not be what it is today, and hopefully I will carry on what I have learned till the end of time. Through the practice of yoga, I have learned so much about myself and the world around me. In learning a variety of abstract and traditional yoga poses, I now understand and can assess what I am capable of, what I struggle with, and what I need to begin to work on in order to think and act with more intention. In both a literal and metaphorical sense, my newfound passion for yoga and the mindset that accompanies it has transformed me as a thinker and doer. Such simple mantras and intentions absorbed through my practice have allowed me to travel the world every single weekend with a more optimistic, understanding, and free-flowing mind. For anybody wishing or contemplating studying abroad, I wish you all the best and hope that your experience (whether or not it involves yoga!) teaches you more than you could have imagined and helps you grow into the person you are meant to be!