Last year, I got into a crazy accident. When I look back, I'm still floored by the experience of it. Ever have those times where you ask yourself, "Did that really happen?!" I'm still asking myself that and continuing to learn from the answer. It was a huge catalyst for bringing me here, writing to you, on this blog.
My body has taught me, repeatedly, how remarkable it is in its ability to heal and restore balance. How easy it is to forget this when something is physically out of whack. Concern takes over and we wonder, will I ever be healthy again? This thought crosses my mind occasionally when I look down at my left leg. Right under my knee is a large bruise from that accident, almost 9 months later.
Now, get this. After taking a yoga class, it was gone, completely. No mark whatsoever. As I came down from the high of asanas (yoga postures), the bruise re-emerged. The darkness of my skin colored my mood as well. I sought out the yoga teacher for advice. Her response? "Ask your body. It knows what it wants." Brilliant and true!
How often do you defer to other experts to tell you the best cure for you? When did we stop trusting the inherent wisdom of the body we live in every day? Sometimes the answer is so obvious, we look right past it. The bruise disappears every time I take a yoga class. Hmm, anyone thinking I should take more yoga?
What kind of movement best helps you? What's your body needing to stay in health?
Yoga is good, but riding helps my back feel better and my shoulders relax and fall into place. On a day when I am tense from sitting at my computer at work, it can take 30 minutes before those shoulders relax down. And at the end of the week, 40 minutes down the trail for me to really relax and breathe deeply, but it does come. Then I am recharged. I am sure that it is not just the movement, but also the connection that I have with my mare and getting out into the real world that does this for me.
That's quite amazing that your bruise comes and goes with yoga. It's definitely something to listen to.
Posted by: Simrat | February 16, 2009 at 09:30 PM
What an amazing story!! I'm going to share it now with the yogis I know. LOVE it! Loving the amazing body! xo-Carla aka OneHealthyGirl.com
Posted by: Carla Golden | February 17, 2009 at 09:08 AM