Sciatica.
It blossomed red and angry at around 3:00 in the afternoon, a roadblock to a deeply productive day and the promise of a muscular, striving yoga class.
I know this condition to be partly emotional, partly pinch for me, and so I stretched and tried to lay off of it as much as possible, which was only partially successful, what with packing orders and such: I hurt.
That's the bottom line, and that is really OK -
let me repeat - I am ok with this pain:
it is a reminder and Heaven knows I truly love me some reminders.
My heart palpitations remind me to slow down, to look at a situation with calm eyes, to choose wisely and carefully what influences surround me.
My emotions remind me that far beneath their tempest of joy and confusion lies true calm, and I can find it even in the wildest chaos - it exists.
Tonight my sciatic nerve reminded me to take it easy: this was both amazing and deeply challenging....
while the other students swept gracefully from Warrior 1 to Warrior 2 to side angle pose I opted for pigeon stretches.... while others leapt forward as I usually do for sun salutations, I did a funny baby crab walk to the front of my mat.
I cried hot tears while my heart opened with deep compassion for the state of my body.
I was embarrassed.
I was deeply and reverently humbled by my newfound limitations.
I don't know if I've had a day in this journey yet that has been so awe inspiring...
it is simply this: in our greatest vulnerability can be found our greatest opening, our most compassionate part.
Invaluable lessons are being taught by our bodies if we can only listen
well and truly take the knowledge
to heart.
Namaste with all my might,
Allisunny
9 comments:
...you sure know how to dance with life...xoxo
Allison! This happened to me last week. I've hurt my back somehow (I'm very familiar with your 'crab walk' to the top of your mat..not so fun.) and spent several sun salutations in this and last week's class holding back tears. It hurt, and I was so frustrated and sad. You described it so well here. Thanks.
Nancy - this is high praise coming from a master dance instructor like you :) xoxoxo
Brooke: girl, I will dedicate my practice to you tomorrow: let's crab walk it out!!! ;) AND keep going!!
Praying for swift recovery & reflecting on your ability to see the lessons in the pain...something I'm still trying to do.
Dear Allison:
Sciatica sucks. The best way to treat it is ice 20 mins. three times a day to lower S1-S3 vertebra and keep moving, and take ibuprofen (motrin) max dose which is anti-inflammatory. You can also use heat but only if you keep iced as suggested. The main goal is to reduce inflammation, which is the injury. Good luck. And, you have inspired me to start my own Blog...you are the first blog I ever read. Check me out, not too suave, but taking baby steps. You know me as Bonddi:)
Oh GOSH sister do I know it! I was just thinking of you this morning and wondered how that little sciatic nerve was behaving with all that is going on in your life and then I read this dear post...so many times I have been in a hip opener asana of some sort(gomukhasana for example ohhhhhh yes)trying to feel "the cooling aspect" of the pose as hot tears stream down my cheeks(and attempting not to compare but looking around and seeing most everyone in a state of BLISS how can that BE I say, as I try~UNcomfortably so~to find greater clarity in the moment)...submission is NOT one of my strong points but I have learned through yoga practice to give myself to a higher power and with that a few obstacles move to the side. Keep on your path Allison(you are doing so AWESOME), bliss is right around the corner and may that discomfort be a great(and ephemeral)teacher.
love to you doll!
oh, Lordy, girl, I am always doing the "funny baby crab walk"...I cannot do the cool, leap to the front of the mat thing due do good knees that left me years and years ago.....
remember, true yoga is simply...
breath....
and if you can do that, you are doing yoga beautifully! :) I am in awe that you keep going w/ your challenge!
namaste
GGS: It's a life-long learning process, isn't it?
Bonddi!!!! I am icing: thank you for this!!!
Taddyness of my heart: I adore you. Thank you.
Kerin: I will strive with all my heart to remember that tonight and be happy that I have breath :)
Alice: Thank you so much - you should get out and do yoga if you can :)
ouch...I would recommend regular accupuncture...I get it too sometimes and have to be always careful...take it easy
xoxox
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