Interoception and Stroke | My Story
Three years ago this month, I had a brainstem stroke—specifically in the pons, a small but incredibly powerful part of the brainstem. At the time, I was healthy, active, and a dedicated yogi, so when symptoms started, I brushed them off. I figured I was just dehydrated or low on electrolytes. My body was waving red flags, but I wasn’t listening.
The pons acts as a central relay station, helping to coordinate movement, balance, breathing, facial sensation, and even sleep. Because it’s involved in so many basic, life-sustaining functions, a stroke in this area can be especially dangerous and complex.
My symptoms started with numbness on the right side of my face, then my arm, then leg - I could barely walk. And—yes, still cringing about this—I drove myself to the ER. I literally hobbled in, thinking I was just being overly cautious. At the time, I was staying with my 88-year-old mom in New Jersey, while Matt was back home in Dallas.
Looking back, I realize how disconnected I was from my own body. That experience changed everything. It took time to figure out where I was heading, but I am now doing my best to help others reconnect with their bodies on a deeper level.
I’ve come to believe that a significant cause of injury and illness is a lack of body awareness. We all have blind spots—places we overuse, underuse, or ignore altogether. Proprioception (our body’s GPS) helps us understand where we are in space. But we also need interoception—the ability to feel what’s happening inside.
Ignoring the signs nearly cost me everything.
Now, whether moving or teaching, I do it with a new respect for the body’s wisdom. The more we tune in, the more we can protect, heal, and empower ourselves—from the inside out.
