It was 1986 when Michael Cinicollo, then 23, and Gia Gangemi, 18, found themselves at the Ft. Lauderdale, FL airport, eagerly anticipating their exciting second date – an outing that would alter their lives forever.

Their destination was up for debate: Michael and Gia desired New York, while the friends they were traveling with wanted to go to Jamaica. To resolve the impasse, Michael played a fateful card game called Casino with his friend Andre. Unfortunately for Michael, Jamaica emerged triumphant.

Upon arrival, Michael and his friend rented motorcycles. On that first day, Michael’s bike slipped on a rain-slicked road, leading to minor scrapes. It was the subsequent day, however, that proved catastrophic – Michael was involved in a severe accident, the details of which remain lost to his memory.

He and the motorcycle careened over a cliff, resulting in severe damage to both arms as he held them up to protect his head. In all, Michael suffered a compound fracture on one arm, a shattered wrist on the other, a compressed neck fracture, and a skull fracture.

Rescued by bystanders, he was transported to a nearby hospital before being airlifted to a trauma center. There, facing a grim prognosis, Gia intervened, halting proposed brain surgery and the potential amputation of Michael’s arm.

With the help of family, they bribed a doctor to state Michael was stable enough to charter an air ambulance, whic took him to Broward General Hospital in South Florida.

Surgery was performed to repair Michael’s skull and both arms were re-broken and set. It was a miracle that he survived the accident, transport, and surgeries. His lengthy stay in the hospital lasted three months, followed by three years of physical therapy.

Yet, despite this arduous journey, Michael’s commitment to his recovery waned, leading to a sedentary lifestyle from 1990 to 2020.

It was a pivotal doctor’s appointment in 2020 that served as a wake-up call. Recognizing the disparity between his physical condition and the gravity of his past injuries, Michael faced a crucial moment of reckoning. This, coupled with Gia’s declaration, “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I’m not planning on pushing you around in a wheelchair for the rest of our lives,” Michael was inspired on to embark on a journey of wellness.

In a spur-of-the-moment decision, Michael decided that he would, alongside Gia, pursue yoga teacher training. Despite not having practiced yoga much in the past, he committed to the practice.

Now 61, Michael has spent the past four years immersed in the practice of yoga, achieving certification as a teacher. Through his dedication to the excercises, he has experienced a remarkable transformation: shedding fifty pounds, ceasing reliance on pain medication, and regaining strength and mobility.

Before yoga, if Michael fell, he couldn’t get up without assistance. Even walking had been a challenge. Now, he can walk without a noticeable limp. He can do pushups without his wrist or elbow hurting and his back feels much better. Everything has come back to center. His body is repairing itself.

Michael believes that stagnation equals death and movement equals life.

Today, Michael passionately advocates for the practice of yoga as a means of fostering physical and emotional well-being, emphasizing its inclusivity and adaptability to all levels and abilities.

“No matter how I feel going into a class, I always feel better coming out. I feel more relaxed. It’s just the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.”

by Hara Allison

Hara Allison is the founder of Beneath Your Beautiful magazine and podcast, as well as anaward-winning graphic designer at STUDIO H creative and an award-winning photographer at Hara Allison Photography.

Recently, Hara was a Spokane Women of Achievement nominee for the Arts and a finalist for The Women Changing the World Awards.

Hara believes that no matterwhat we look like, or what challenges life presents us,we are inherently worthy and most of all, worthy of our own love.

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