WATCH ABOVE: After surviving a horrible motorcycle accident, Marc Polley is now helping others live a more balanced life through his teachings. Global’s Shelley Steeves explains.
SHEDIAC, NB – On the tranquil shores of Parlee Beach in Shediac, Marc Polley shares his passion for yoga.
“I really encourage people to smile and to reach for good feelings.”
Polley became a yoga instructor about 7 years ago, hoping to use his own challenging spiritual journey to help others live a more grounded life.
After completing her first class, student Veronic Cormier said, “I think he is great, he has all those positive vibes and talks about smiling all the time.”
Polley has faced his share of rough waters. “It was September the 11th 1997, on my way home from work I had a motorcycle accident.”
As a result, he lost the use of his right leg, which had to be amputated just below the knee.
“When it first happened it was just traumatic. You lost a body part you, know, my body got mutilated.”
After months in rehab, Polley spent the next four years struggling to live a balanced life, living with constant pain, until a friend suggested he try practicing yoga as a form of therapy,
“I felt a great benefit. I said wow I can sit up straight and I have no more pain. I always had tension in my neck and in my back, so that went away.”
He says soon yoga became a therapy for his body and mind. “It made so that I could be comfortable in my body again.”
Polley’s prosthetic has limited mobility, so he’s had to make some adjustments to his postures.
“There are some things that I can’t do because the knee only bends a certain amount. When I do warrior one or warrior two, anything with the knee bent is a lot more challenging. The ankle does not have any movement so anything that requires that I have to adjust a lot of the postures.”
His students say he’s an inspiration. “He must have worked pretty hard for that to get used to it,” said Cormier.
Polley said teaching helps him connect with others and to the present, instead of living in that horrible past when he lost his leg.
“I wouldn’t take back the experiences I have had since I lost my leg, I live a great life and I would want to change those experiences.”
Polley believes maybe he lost his leg for a reason, so he can help others find their own inner peace that he now feels every day.
Comments