Written by Eliza Kerr, Balanced Rock Co-Founder, Board Member Emeritus, & Instructor
A Story of Healing, Resilience, and Hope
At Balanced Rock, we are endlessly grateful for the people whose passion, generosity, and commitment to community have shaped who we are today. Few embody that spirit quite like our beloved co-founder, Eliza Kerr.
As Balanced Rock Co-Founder, Board Member Emeritus, donor, dedicated supporter, and volunteer instructor for our weekly Community Yoga classes in El Portal, Eliza has been an integral part of the Balanced Rock family for decades. Her unwavering belief in the transformative power of wellness, and her generosity in sharing that passion with others, continue to inspire our work and enrich the community we serve.
Eliza's dedication to helping others find greater health, resilience, and connection extends far beyond the yoga mat. Her own extraordinary journey through injury, loss, chronic pain, and healing has shaped a deeply personal commitment to helping others discover new possibilities for their own well-being.
This November, we're honored to share Eliza's story in her own words. It is a powerful reminder of the complexity of healing, the remarkable relationship between mind and body, and the possibility of finding a new path forward—even when that path once seemed unimaginable.
In 1995, at the age of 24, my life changed in an instant.
While paragliding, I fell 80 feet from the sky. The impact shattered my pelvis and broke my back. Overnight, I went from living an exceptionally active and adventurous life filled with climbing, outdoor pursuits, and exploration to facing surgery, extended hospitalization, and nearly a year in a wheelchair.
The road back was long and challenging, but slowly I healed. Through determination and rehabilitation, I regained my strength and eventually returned to the mountains, climbing, and the active lifestyle I loved.
Then, tragedy struck again.
A year later, my fiancé and partner of eight years was killed in a climbing accident.
Six months after his death, I began experiencing severe nerve pain. The pain became so debilitating that I could no longer sit comfortably to drive, share a meal, or participate in normal daily activities.
I sought help from specialist after specialist. Every doctor reviewed my X-rays and saw the same thing: a significantly crooked pelvis, a 13-centimeter screw stabilizing my sacroiliac joint, two seven-inch screws through my pubic bone, and three herniated discs.
The conclusion was always the same. My pain was attributed to the structural damage from my accident.
Given what my body looked like on imaging, it seemed logical. I accepted what I was told and pursued every treatment I could find. Yet nothing provided lasting relief. As the months passed, I became increasingly discouraged. If I was already in this much pain, what would happen as I grew older? How could I expect to live comfortably in a body that was permanently altered and, according to the experts, fundamentally broken?
After a year and a half of suffering, I came across a book that would change the course of my life: Healing Back Pain by Dr. John Sarno.
His theory was simple but revolutionary. He proposed that many chronic pain conditions are not caused by structural abnormalities, but by learned patterns in the brain and nervous system, often fueled by stress, trauma, fear, and unresolved emotions.
At first, I was skeptical. But as I began to understand the concepts and apply the tools, something remarkable happened.
I started to get better. Within a month, my symptoms had improved dramatically. Today, more than 30 years later, I remain completely pain-free.
My pelvis is still crooked. The hardware is still there. The discs are still herniated. The structural findings that were once blamed for my pain have not changed.
What changed was my understanding of what was actually creating my symptoms.
Since then, I have returned to the activities I love. I climb, surf, bike, hike, and live an active life without pain. More importantly, I gained a profound appreciation for the incredible capacity of the human brain and body to heal.
My story is dramatic. Not everyone has experienced a life-threatening accident or profound loss, and not everyone’s recovery happens as quickly as mine did.
But the principles that helped me heal are relevant to many people living with chronic pain and other neuroplastic symptoms.
This experience ignited a deep passion in me to help others discover what is possible.
I bring a compassionate heart, personal experience, extensive education, and a commitment to listening deeply to each person’s story. Together, we can explore the factors contributing to your symptoms and develop a personalized approach that supports healing, resilience, and lasting change.
You are not your diagnosis.
You are not your imaging results.
And your symptoms do not necessarily define your future.
Dive Deeper: Intro to Chronic Pain Recovery with Eliza Kerr
Inspired by her own healing journey, Eliza is passionate about helping others explore the connection between the brain, nervous system, and chronic pain.
This November 18 in Yosemite Valley, we're thrilled to welcome her as the facilitator of Intro to Chronic Pain Recovery, a free community workshop offered in collaboration with Yosemite Health and Wellness and made possible by a generous grant from Yosemite Conservancy. Together, we'll explore how the brain and nervous system can contribute to persistent pain, and introduce practical, accessible tools for understanding chronic symptoms and supporting recovery.
Whether you're navigating chronic pain yourself, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about the mind-body connection, this workshop offers an opportunity to learn, connect, and explore new possibilities for healing.
All are welcome. This workshop is free, but registration is required.
MEET ELIZA
Eliza is passionate about supporting people on their journey towards well-being by sharing the tools of yoga and Ayurveda in the natural world.
Co-founder of Balanced Rock, Eliza has been teaching yoga in Yosemite, and practicing as a certified Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist (CAS) for over 20 years. She has studied a variety of styles including lyengar, Bikram, and Ashtanga. She currently specializes in treating chronic pain.
How you can learn more about Eliza:
Visit her website to learn about her services in Ayurveda, Neuroplastic Recovery, and Yoga
Catch her when she teaches Community Yoga on Mondays in El Portal!
Book a stay at the Yosemite Moonstone Retreat, a beautiful vacation rental and yoga studio along the Merced River.