From the corporate world to the yoga mat, Rosemarie Blight’s inspiring journey of self-discovery has led her to embrace yoga as a lifelong practice. She tells Edwin D’Souza about her ever-growing passion for wellness and spiritual growth, and shares the profound mental and physical benefits of yoga, especially for women over 40, encouraging them to age with grace and mindfulness.
For Rosemarie Blight, life is a mission to be lived with purpose and gratitude. “Life can be great! So, live it fully with a grateful heart,” she says.
A certified yoga teacher and life coach, Rosemarie believes that everyone and everything in the universe is connected, and that each day is a gift to be appreciated. Her journey, which began in the Philippines and has led her through various professional and spiritual paths, is a testament to her drive for personal growth and authentic living.
Rosemarie’s professional background is rooted in commerce, having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. She is also certified in life coaching from New York City and yoga teaching, a passion that she has pursued alongside her career. Currently, Rosemarie works as a personal assistant to a director at Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo B.S.C., one of the top companies in Bahrain. Despite her demanding professional life, yoga has been a constant source of balance and renewal for her.
Her first introduction to yoga was in the Philippines, but it wasn’t until she moved to Bahrain that she truly embraced the practice. “Yoga became my go-to when life got rough,” she explains.
After an on-and-off relationship with yoga for years, her spiritual journey deepened when she recently travelled to Rishikesh, India – the birthplace of yoga. This trip was transformative, marking a reset in how she viewed herself and the world. “It was life-changing,” she recalls. Supported by her husband – Steve Blight – and her community, Rosemarie pursued a rigorous training programme in Rishikesh, which not only strengthened her body but also unlocked new mental and spiritual powers within her.
Rosemarie’s journey with yoga is intertwined with her commitment to overall wellness, a path she was introduced to by her husband, who sparked her interest in fitness when they met in 2005. Together, they have made health and fitness a central focus in their lives.
Over the years, Rosemarie has noticed profound improvements in both, her mental and physical well-being, through yoga. “I’m more focused, relaxed, and stress-free,” she says, adding that yoga has helped alleviate her joint pain and menopausal symptoms. “I lost unwanted fat and can feel the benefits in my organs. I can now distribute oxygen to different parts of my body through breathing techniques.”
While her yoga journey initially began as a personal practice, Rosemarie now feels called to share its benefits with others. Inspired by her guru’s words, she is eager to spread the “good news” of yoga and its limitless physical and mental benefits. She is particularly passionate about encouraging women over 40 to embrace yoga, believing that it can make life “less painful” and aging “more graceful”.
Looking ahead, Rosemarie is determined to continue her yoga practice and explore other spiritual disciplines. She finds joy in living simply and authentically, and though she remains involved in the corporate world, yoga will always be her “constant companion.” Grateful for the support of her family, friends and mentors, she is committed to living a life filled with purpose, connection and mindfulness.
