Celebrating the Life of Corc Yoga Ambassador, Mat Turner
For me, yoga has always been a physical practice, an opportunity to slow down, be present, and care for the body I’ve been given. What I didn’t anticipate was how deeply the relationships would matter. Beyond the movement itself, I found a community rooted in care, compassion, and showing up for one another. The people I’ve met through this space have shaped my life in ways I never expected and will always be grateful for.
I want to tell you about one of those people.
My Friend, Mat
Mat Turner, one of Corc Yoga’s ambassadors, inspired me to attend my first international yoga retreat. His passion for community naturally created a bond among everyone who attended his retreats.
Mat’s genuine charisma and humor made him an influential and deeply loved leader within the yoga community. He was passionate about mental health and lived with an authenticity that drew people in. It was easy to see why he was loved by hundreds of people around the world.
When Mat invited Corc Yoga to be involved in another retreat in Cornwall, England, I immediately replied with a “yes.” I knew it would be another meaningful opportunity to gather with like-minded people in one of the most beautiful places in Europe. It was an honor to be invited back, and I couldn’t wait to reconnect with Mat and other friends from previous retreats.
Cornwall, England
As I mentioned earlier, mental health was deeply important to Mat. He understood it on a personal level, having carried his own struggles quietly for many years.
The news of Mat’s passing was devastating and difficult to comprehend. In that moment, I knew I needed to be with this community, a group of friends who deeply loved and cared for him. Mat had left his handprint on all of us; he was the common thread that connected us.
The atmosphere of the retreat was somber at first, but it gently shifted when several of us gathered around a bonfire to celebrate Mat’s life.
Although there were many tears, we committed to honoring our beloved friend together. A few friends came prepared with candles and notecards, inviting us to write something meaningful to Mat.
Community and the Celebration of a Life
The news of Mat’s passing was devastating and difficult to make sense of. And because of that, I knew I needed to be with this community – a group of friends that deeply cared for Mat. Mat had left his handprint on all of us, he was the common thread that tied us together.
The atmosphere of the retreat was somber at first, but the tone shifted when several of us gathered together over a bond fire to celebrate Mat’s life.
Although there were many tears shed, we committed to celebrating our beloved friend together. A couple of friends came prepared with beautiful candles and notecards to write something special to Mat.
We cried together, laughed together, and talked late into the night.
I believe that grieving the loss of someone we love is not meant to be done alone. I never would have imagined that traveling over 5,000 miles to be with friends would bring so much comfort. There were many unanswered questions, but we chose to hold one another’s grief. Just days before the Cornwall retreat, Mat took his life. Early one morning, Tracy, a dear friend and the retreat’s organizer called me with the heartbreaking news. Rather than canceling, she shared that the retreat would still go on. We believed Mat would want us to continue, honoring the life he lived.
I left Cornwall feeling more grounded than when I arrived. The music, movement, and most of all, the community reminded me of what I would have missed had I stayed away.
Final Thoughts
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
Mat played an influential role in shaping our community. Those of us who had the privilege of being part of it will always be grateful.
I want to carry forward that spirit and invite others into it. My hope is that our first retreat is the beginning of a community built on shared passion, one where we leave a meaningful imprint on each other and continue to grow, together.
Community doesn’t remove grief, but it reminds us that we don’t carry it alone.
Here is my invitation to you, dear friend, to join this community.
Contact us: info@corcyoga.com