Single mother shares how yoga saved her life from depression

Mrs Malaysia Kebaya 2018 ambassador Karen Khoo Chien Chien, 31, recently spoke with Citizen Journalists Malaysia (CJMY) on her inspiring journey of successfully turning her life around from a single mother struggling with anxiety and depression to highly sought after  yoga instructor.

“I want to move on with my life. Now, I’m finally happy with myself and stronger than I ever was before and that is worth more to me than anything else,” says Karen, a single mother to two children, aged 5 and 9.

After getting her divorce, Karen and her two children moved back to her mum’s home in Ipoh. Forced to face life on her own she fell into depression. Determined to pick herself up and started all over again she soon embarked on her journey towards learning yoga.

“I was on my own with two small kids to care for. It wasn’t easy as I was going through depression. I took to yoga and meditation to help ease depression.”

“Initially, the first few classes were quite challenging as I’ve never done yoga before. As I continued my yoga practice trying to keep up through the poses, I could see and feel the significant changes mentally and spiritually in my still-hurt feelings in my heart. I am sleeping better and feel a lot better, calmer and more relaxed and motivated to rebuild my life,” she says.

After three years of practicing yoga, Karen was prepared for the next step of completing a yoga teacher training at Sajeeva Yoga School in Ipoh. She completed the 200-hour course level of yoga which earned her a Teacher Training Certificate (TTC).

Karen got her career as a qualified yoga instructor started by offering private coaching sessions for family members and personal friends. She then went on to organize small individual-attention focused classes for various groups in Ipoh.

“I am passionate about helping and bringing the benefits of yoga to people and those who are in the same situation that I have gone through,” says Karen who specializes in traditional yoga, prenatal yoga and aerial yoga.

In May 2017 with no entrepreneurial experience Karen successfully started her own yoga studio in Kampung Raja, Cameron Highland.

“At first it was hard to get students to show up in classes but I was confident and optimistic. It took a lot of patience and the situation improved gradually with improving enrollments,” she said.

Seeing a rise in people taking an interest in learning yoga from her, Karen opened a second yoga studio this time in Brinchang on Sept 2017.

A firm believer in actively pursuing self-improvement, Karen frequently travels down to Kuala Lumpur continuing to upgrade her yoga education by attending workshops and training sessions. With yoga turning her life from dark to light, Karen was inspired to learn and explore new things in life. She also fell in love with pole dancing and is now taking formal classes to learn more.

“I have found inspiration to keep myself going and learning. I am taking pole dancing lessons weekly. Now I practice both yoga and pole dance which are equally amazing and a good combination of inspiration. I feel myself getting better and stronger,” she says.

About her interests and hobbies, Karen says, “My schedules are packed with yoga classes, workshops and pole dancing, I may not have time for a hobby but however busy I get, there will always be time for a “yam cha” (cup of coffee) with friends or a high tea, and taking the kids out to enjoy together.”

Like most woman, Karen wanted to become a beauty pageant queen since young. She tried her luck at the Mrs Malaysia Kebaya 2017 and was a finalist. She never gave up hope and won the Best Video Award at the 1st Prima Oligo Northern Malaysia Beauties Search 2017 and clinched the Mrs Photogenic subsidiary title at the Mrs Chipao Malaysia 2018.

While the top title still eludes her she is determined as ever to continue her journey. She has been recently appointed Ambassador for Mrs Malaysia Kebaya 2018 to support the beauty pageant, and also been appointed as pageant consultant to 2018 Mrs Chinatown World Pageant Malaysia and Chinatown World Outstanding Award Inauguration.

“I could not have done this without all my mom’s help and support and also all of my friends for all of the love and unwavering support enabling the opportunities for me to pursue my passions,” Karen said thanking her mom for taking care her two kids while she pursues her ambitions and goals.

Now as a highly sought after  yoga instructor, Karen hopes to travel around the country inspiring and helping other divorced women to change their lives and become strong and independent through her yoga classes and workshop.