- April 26, 2024
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Debbie Yarbrough went from a competitive trainer to a zen yoga instructor.
Debbie Yarbrough was not the same person she was seven years ago.
A certified personal trainer, running coach and competitive runner who competed in elite-level triathlons, Yarbrough’s athletic career seemed bright and successful on the outside. She placed 4th in overall female at the 2005 Disney Marathon, competed in the 2004 Triathlon Age Group Nationals and ran the 2006 Boston Marathon, finishing as the 35th overall female. All this was done while she was battling an eating disorder.
“I was very Type A, high intensity and competitive,” Yarbrough said. “I got injured a lot, and started doing yoga at home from a video tape to stretch. It kind of just progressed, and I went to pretty much every yoga studio in Ormond while I’ve lived here.”
Eventually, she found her way to Yoga Bala, which was owned by Karrie AuBuchon. It was there she learned how to quit her competitive mind.
“Yoga was my tool that helped with my recovery,” Yarbrough said. “That’s was about three year ago, and I’ve really focused on yoga since then. This has kind of been my transformation from going to high intensity to more chill and zen.”
After spending two years as AuBuchon’s student, Yarbrough recently became an instructor and bought the studio herself. Lotus Yoga and Fitness, located at 28 W. Granada Blvd., opened Dec. 15 under her ownership.
“People who know me as a personal trainer are like ‘she’s a yoga instructor?’” Yarbrough said. “I’m used to yelling and screaming at people, and now I’m just telling them to breathe. It’s a completely different place that I’m at.”
Yarborough is sure that yoga changed her life. January 2015 will mark the two-year anniversary of her recovery from her eating disorder. She is now an advocate for those affected by eating disorders, and has helped women of all ages, from sixth grade girls to those struggling with midlife eating disorders. She was a guest speaker at the 2014 National Eating Disorders Association Annual Conference in San Antonio, was interviewed on Huffington Post Live and is the secretary for the Community Outreach for the Prevention of Eating Disorders.
“It’s not about what just happens on your mat,” Yarbrough said. “It’s about how you take that, and go about your day. They’re nicer to people, and they’re nicer to themselves. Coming in here is like detoxing from the world. It’s an hour and fifteen minutes to shut off your brain.”
Lotus Yoga and Fitness offers a variety of yoga and spin classes. Visit www.lotusyogaormond.com for more information.
