Lyn Savage’s journey to self-discovery began under the most unexpected circumstances—while serving a year in Bali’s Kerobokan Prison. Born in Singapore and later moving to Hong Kong, she had long struggled with anxiety and mild depression. A high-pressure career in TV production took a toll on her mental health, and after a severe anxiety attack in 2012, she resolved to take control of her well-being. Seeking a fresh start, she traveled to Bali in 2017 to study massage therapy, but fate had different plans.
While preparing to return to Hong Kong, a routine bag check at the airport uncovered a gram of marijuana in her luggage. Despite attempts to resolve the situation, she was arrested and faced the grim reality of a possible seven-year sentence. The initial shock was overwhelming, and she spent two months in a police station before being transferred to prison. Life behind bars was a test of endurance—crowded cells, harsh conditions, and a strict routine defined her days. Yet, in the midst of adversity, she found an unexpected source of strength.
With limited ways to stay active, she rediscovered yoga through YouTube videos and began practicing in the prison yard. Fellow inmates took notice, and what started as a personal coping mechanism soon evolved into group sessions. When a charity donated yoga mats, she sought permission to teach classes, gradually forming a dedicated group of women who found solace in the practice. Teaching yoga gave her purpose, and witnessing its impact on others solidified her decision to pursue it professionally upon her release.
In 2018, she traveled to Rishikesh, India, to complete her yoga teacher training, immersing herself in hatha and kundalini yoga. Later, she trained under George Dovas at the Iyengar Yoga Centre in Hong Kong, deepening her understanding of how yoga alleviates anxiety and depression. Scientific research supports this, showing that yoga increases levels of Gaba, a neurotransmitter linked to reduced stress and overthinking.
Yoga transformed her, instilling gratitude, patience, and resilience. Today, she fosters shelter dogs, teaches yoga, and continues to explore healing arts with over 900 hours of training. Reflecting on her journey, she credits yoga for saving her, both in prison and beyond. As BKS Iyengar once said, “Breath is the king of the mind,” a truth she lives by every day.
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