NEW BEGINNINGS YOGA
  • Meet Angelyn
  • Infertility
  • Yoga
  • Musings
  • Media
  • Contact

Thursday's Thought

10/6/2016

 
Picture
Earlier this Summer I had surgery to remove a bone spur from my foot. It was a relatively minor procedure intended to relieve the source of acute pain I have been tolerating for years. The post-operative instruction from my doctor was to apply as much pressure as I could tolerate as often as I could. I took the guidance as a challenge...

Within two weeks of the surgery, I began running three days per week. I resumed using the bicycle as my primary method of commuting. I walked EVERYWHERE with the babe. Throughout this period I ignored the raised eyebrows and questions from well-meaning family about the wisdom of my approach. "It's doctor's orders," I assured them.

The one thing I didn't add to my grit-my-teeth-and-power-through-it routine was yoga. Running may have been uncomfortable, but as a teacher of yoga, I "knew" that putting my foot through the range of motion required to execute many of the common poses in a vinyasa practice would be excruciating. I'm not quite ready, I told myself, I'll just give it a little more time to heal. 

Two months after surgery, the joint was still stiff, swelling at the site of the incision was still pronounced, and my overly ambitious approach to activity backfired, resulting in an aggravated Achilles tendon. This time the doctor told me to take it easy - and NOT run. "Yoga could be helpful," he suggested...

The next day I limped back to the yoga studio. But this time, rather than give into the voice in my head trying to tell me what I "couldn't" do, I instead approached each instruction from the teacher as an opportunity to explore - carefully and mindfully - what might be possible. After that first class, I noticed an immediate improvement in my ability to walk without pain. Excited by the possibility of continued progress, I returned the next day, and the next. After one week of mindful movement, the swelling and discomfort had subsided significantly. 

How often do our perceived limitations prevent us from exploring what might be possible? Instead of allowing assumptions about what you "can't" do dictate your behavior, can you instead proceed with an open mind? You just might surprise yourself - and encounter some healing along the way...
Picture

    Angelyn

    Teacher, aspiring writer, and inspired soul navigating the journey of life. 

    Sign up for My 
    email newsletter

    Categories

    All
    Infertility
    Musings
    The Year Of Anticipation
    The Year Of Exploration
    The Year Of Facing Fear
    The Year To Embrace
    The Year To Just Be...
    Thursdays Thought
    Tools For Transformation
    Trailblazers
    Year Of Imperfection
    Yoga

    Archives

    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013



    RSS Feed

Photo Credits: Drew Xeron
  • Meet Angelyn
  • Infertility
  • Yoga
  • Musings
  • Media
  • Contact