How yoga changed one OD’s life

Not many of us would rate the 6 a.m. breakfast hour CE at an optometric conference as a favorite or must-do experience. But you haven't been to a class by Danielle Richardson, OD.

At this year's National Optometry Association (NOA) meeting, the turnout was impressive at such an early hour to learn from Dr. Richardson's topic of expertise: stress management and whole body wellness through yoga.

Previously from Defocus Media: The Sightbox scoop from J&J’s Peter Menziuso

As an optometry student, Dr. Richardson was consistently battling health issues without recourse. She sought doctor after doctor to manage her symptoms enough to get through exams, coursework, and patient care.

Experts kept telling her the same thing; she'd get more improvement in her symptoms if she could manage her stress. Then finally she got the advice that changed her life. “Have you tried yoga?”

Yoga changed her life

After graduation, Richardson knew her body wasn't going to make it at the rate she was going. As many of her classmates started stressful job hunts and planned end-of-school trips to blow off steam, she focused on taking care of herself with the ultimate mental detox: a yoga retreat in Bali.

Related: The next frontier: Mobile eyecare clinics

Mentally and physically refreshed, she started her career as an optometrist, but she was committed to keeping her life balanced with the principles she learned in her retreat. She started teaching classes and coaching friends, then Instagram followers on stress management and well-being.

Without even intending it, a fully-fledged business was born: Fierce Clarity .

In this month’s podcast, Dr. Richardson discusses how yoga has influenced her optometric practice, patient care, and ability to balance the daily demands of optometry and being an entrepreneurial professional.

Are you interested in learning the skills to manage your stress levels in an exclusive yoga retreat for professional women? Register for the Fierce Clarity retreat, and use promo code DEFOCUS for 10 percent off as a gift to loyal podcast listeners.

Get more audio content from Defocus Media and Optometry Times here