My Mother’s Last Birthday

April 22, 2013

It was April 28, 2003 and it was my mother’s last birthday. I knew something was off. But I wasn’t sure exactly what. This day was different, heavier and more meaningful than ever before.

Heysette Leigh, my mom, enjoying life!

My siblings and I decided to take my mom to her favorite Middle Eastern restaurant. It was almost 10 years ago this month that I realized I would never get to celebrate another day with the woman who taught me to live a life that improves world. She taught me to be creative, fearless and a global citizen.

The Leigh family celebrating together

Diabetes stole her. A slow strange illness that slows down the blood circulation, causes blindness and cuts off blood flow throughout the body. At that time, I didn’t have yoga. I didn’t know how to teach my mom these amazing techniques that could help her prolong her life.

So, today I have committed my life and my yoga practice to helping black women find their BEST BODY. Tonight kicks off the spring YOUR BEST BODY workshop in partnership with the Black Woman’s Health Imperative. No child, mother or family should have to go through what I went through. Losing a loved one to diabetes is unnecessary and preventable.