Meet Shannon Alviar

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shannon Alviar. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shannon below.

Hi Shannon, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I believe resilience is cultivated through the process of overcoming adversity. Life presents us with a myriad of challenges, including physical, mental, and emotional obstacles. Sometimes, we think we have conquered a challenge, only to find it resurfacing years or even decades later, reminding us of the vast expanse of knowledge we still have to acquire. Ultimately, it is our ability to navigate these inevitable challenges that truly defines our character and shapes our destiny.

In my late teens, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. While these conditions explained my constant pain and persistent exhaustion, modern medicine offered no treatments at the time. Seeking guidance from my doctor, I was met with a shrug and uncertainty. All he could offer was that some people found relief with yoga and meditation. I started with a mere 20 minutes of practice a few times a week.

Initially, everything was daunting. When the teacher instructed me to expand my belly as I breathed in, I was confused because my belly did the opposite. Staying in down dog for five breaths felt like an eternity. Yet, after practicing regularly, I felt a profound sense of well-being that compelled me to continue.

Twenty minutes of practice quickly became a morning ritual. Soon I was practicing in the evenings after work too. On particularly stressful days, I would sneak in an additional twenty minutes during my lunch break. Before I knew it, I was dedicating an hour to practice each day, gradually increasing my practice time to three to five hours a week. The positive impact was immediately evident. I felt stronger and more resilient. One day, I even managed to clean the bathtub and vacuum the house in the same day without feeling exhausted or in excruciating pain for a week afterward. It truly was a miracle.

As I dedicated myself to daily study and practice, my condition improved remarkably. Soon, I was certified to teach yoga, eager to share this transformative gift with others. The day arrived when I literally forgot about my fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

However, my journey took an unexpected turn when I broke my pinky toe. Despite the assurances of medical professionals that it would heal within six to eight weeks, after eighteen x-rays and over four months, I was still hobbling around in a flat-soled medical shoe. Determined to find a solution, I sought a second opinion. The orthopedist inquired about any possible reasons for my persistent pain and prolonged recovery. When I mentioned fibromyalgia, he exclaimed, “That’s it!”

I hadn’t even considered my fibromyalgia for almost two decades. Yet, here I was, grappling with throbbing pain, extreme exhaustion, and difficulty moving. It all flooded back, including the chronic fatigue syndrome (which I had never realized was associated). Anxiety appeared, fearing that every step I took would be painful, while depression washed through me, burdened by the thought that this would always be my reality. In just a few short months, my tiniest toe had drastically changed my entire life. I went from being able to lift over a hundred pounds to lying in bed for an hour just to recover from washing my hair.

I thought I had overcome all these challenges, yet here I was again, as if I were eighteen years old and had not spent the past thirty years building myself up to be strong, flexible, and resilient in body, mind, and spirit. Even though I felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me, the stark contrast between my eighteen-year-old self and my forty-eight-year-old self is clear. Now, I remind myself to believe in myself. I understand that overcoming any obstacle in life demands patience, persistence, and time. I refuse to give up. I’ve learned how to keep pressing forward, even if it’s in the tiniest incremental advance. Small victories lead to bigger ones. I know that if I continue to breathe deeply, practice quieting my mind, and move my body safely and comfortably, I can persevere beyond any obstacle. That’s true resilience.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

The most rewarding aspect of my job is meeting people at their current level and assisting them in expanding their capabilities. Each person is a unique individual with a diverse range of gifts and challenges. Helping them feel better, live better, and sleep better is a privilege for me. Hearing my students share how they apply the skills they’ve acquired in my class to lead fulfilling lives is the greatest gift of all.

Living in South Florida, where many people come to retire, I have spent a great deal of my career helping older people navigate the challenges of aging gracefully. Just recently I’ve been invited to work with young people. Giving a teenager the gift of a quiet mind is priceless. I wish I had discovered yoga classes, meditation and sound baths when I was in school. Having been cleared by the local school district to work with students, faculty, and staff it is an immense honor to assist marching bands, dance teams, cheerleaders, football players, teachers, parents and anyone else who would appreciate more peace and tranquility in their lives.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Courage, tenacity, and curiosity have been the most valuable skills in my life. I believe that most people experience imposter syndrome, regardless of their hard work. While study and practice are your foundation, it’s normal to feel inadequate at times. However, you must take a leap of faith and trust that unforeseen forces will guide you. Embrace the fear, but do it anyway. Remember, you are strong and capable. Even though fear may linger, push past it and know that on the other side, you’ll feel empowered.

In my youth, when faced with challenges, I would give up, believing it was beyond my abilities. What I have learned is that difficulty simply means I need to practice more. One of my favorite teachers used to say, “You know that yoga pose you hate? That’s the one you need.” She was pointing out that we often dislike difficult things because they’re challenging, but that challenge is also where our growth lies.

I think curiosity is the most important skill because it drives us to dig deeper. Interest and curiosity lead to knowledge and understanding, enabling us to absorb information, learn, and grow. My curiosity led me to explore various yoga styles, allowing me to practice with many teachers from diverse lineages. This exposure broadened my perspectives and enriched my knowledge base.

While there is no substitute for dedicating time and effort to mastering your skill and refining your craft, don’t let feelings of inadequacy hold you back. You are more than enough and you already have everything you need inside of you. Trust yourself, believe in the process, and embark upon on your own bold journey. I can’t wait to read your story.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

My ideal client is a compassionate human, willing to try new things with an open heart and mind. They are dedicated to self improvement and are willing to set aside the time and resources to make themselves a priority. With mutual appreciation, respect and understanding, working together is a tremendous joy.

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@alchemylettercraft

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