Yoga is a place of refuge and contemplation, a contradiction to our world’s emphasis on external signs of success—money, social standing, a conventionally sexy body and go, go, go! Yoga is stay, stay, stay still and go inside, breathe, move thoughtfully, with heart, with intention. Find your limits, brush up against them and breathe, relax, accept yourself where you are today, as you are today, and breathe. Over time your body will grow more flexible and strong, but better still, your heart will grow more flexible and
strong! Your mind will learn to rest in stillness and in movement. You will feel peace inside yourself. You will radiate peace out to the world. Namaste
—Ruth Giles Ott
Ruth Giles Ott is a stay-at-home mother and wife. Before motherhood, she was a child welfare lawyer at the Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago and assistant general council at the Illinois Human Rights Commission. She is a proud member of the Chicago Smelts, a masters swim team for adults, and swims competitively at pool meets and in open-water races. She recently competed in the 10K open-water nationals in Lake George, N.Y., as well as in open water and swimming races at the Gay Games 9 in Cleveland, Ohio.
An illumined life regularly features the manifesto of an inspiring Chicagoan. Send your nomination to submissions@illuminemagazine.net.
One Response to “An Illumined Life: Ruth Giles Ott”
November 9, 2014
Michelle milneRuth glows, illuminates, and breathes love, support, community & body. All coming from a brilliant brain at start. She has been given challenges then blossomed and transformed into a leader with wisdom and grace beyond her years. We are lucky to hear her. Even luckier to be around her.