Standing on One Foot

Yoga is not my hobby. It's a necessary addiction. I do it to keep from being a cripple.

Before all my injuries, I was in excellent condition. I rock climbed, lifted twice my weight, and could outlast any twenty year old on my worst day. But then the injuries started to pile on and I wasn't able to recover this time. In less than a year, I had lost all my strength and most of my endurance. I had to do something to stop my downward slide.

I dreaded walking into that yoga studio. The experience wasn't just bad. It was embarrassing.

Let me tell you how awful I was on my first day. I could not do a single posture. Not one. Heck, I couldn't even kneel into Child's Pose, the simplest pose of all next to Corpse Pose (which hurt like hell because my spine was so misaligned).

I went to class almost every day. I'm sure the instructors thought I was a glutton for punishment because I crashed, tripped, and crumpled like a rusty old car. They were constantly correcting me. I was their favorite problem child.

Fast forward six months. I'm a different person. Calmer. Stronger. And in a lot less pain. I'm nowhere near the expert level, but I can do nearly every posture with ease.

Nobody ever corrects me anymore and I kind of miss that. But it also tells me I'm making progress. 

I've spent hours practicing standing on one foot. Greg will attest that I'll be talking to him and I just go into the posture. I practice constantly, always falling out but getting right back in.  

I'm still trying to do this one well. >>>>>>>>

Yoga is like a microcosm of daily life. No matter what our life's work, we're always practicing, aren't we?

What's your brass ring? What do you want to do better?

I may never master standing on one foot, but I'll never stop trying.







Comments

What do I want to do better....:) Write. lol.

I'm a yoga girl as well, and I stopped about six months ago. I'm hoping to go back soon. I've been using my Wi as well as swimming and walking) Hopefully I won't be too stiff. I can still do the lotus pose if that makes any difference. lol

Glad you are feeling better and continue to do so. :)
Maria Zannini said…
Suzanne: You write pretty darn good already. :o)

When I was sick over the holidays I had to lay off yoga for almost three weeks. It took me a couple of days to regain my balance.
Mike Keyton said…
I'm quite pleased I can stand on one foot to put my sock on. Yoga? Pfft

Seriously, touching on something else - the corpse position ie realigning the spine of the floor is a wonderful and salutary experience
I've groan stiff as an oak since I've had to stop playing b-ball and running. I miss the pre-stretch...consider yoga often. But the time. I'm lucky to make the time for Wednesday in the Woods (now Day in the Desert) and Sunday Safari. But it might help my sciatica...hmmm
Maria Zannini said…
Mike: The corpse pose is extremely important but I didn't realize it right away. I thought the yoga instructors were wasting my time with it. But what a difference it makes when you do it right. I sleep much better now.
Maria Zannini said…
Mac: Seriously, Google the Pigeon Pose on YouTube and work on that.

My problem was the piriformis, often mistaken for sciatica because it can also press against the sciatic nerve.

The Pigeon Pose helps immensely. Try it and let me know if it starts to help.
Sarah Ahiers said…
I'd really like to get into yoga some day. When i have the extra money and time i guess
LD Masterson said…
What's the big deal about standing on one foot. I do it all the time. Oh. You can't hang on to the bedpost?
Maria Zannini said…
Sarah: The studio I use has a very CHEAP introductory package which fit into my frugal mindset. Once I saw the benefits I signed up for the premium package. It's way cheaper than the rehab I used to get.
Maria Zannini said…
Linda: I still hang on to the bedpost on occasion. There's no shame in it. :)
Kaye Manro said…
Hi Maria! I just had to stop by and catch up on everything I've missed since I've been away. I always love reading your blog.

Yoga? You are something to go to class every single day!

Love the book cover for Punch List.

Good luck with Indies 4 Hire. I stopped by to read.

And Tank-- bless him. He looks content, however.

Angela Brown said…
Maria, just call it a hunch, but you have always shown, through your words and actions, that you are a go-getter. And so I'm not surprised that you faced this difficult task, braced for impact and have gained from this experience. And here you are, able to apply that same stick-to-it-tive-ness to life...that's the way to be.

I hope to be a little like you when I finally learn to wear my grown up pants :-)
Jenny Schwartz said…
Maria, I'm so glad the yoga helps.
Maria Zannini said…
Kaye! Long time, no see. I'm glad you popped in.
Maria Zannini said…
Angela: My ego kept me from going for a while though. I didn't want to be humiliated. Once I swallowed my pride everything fell into place.
Maria Zannini said…
Jenny: I know hubby had his doubts. But writers know a little bit about perseverance, eh?
Jennifer Shirk said…
I really hate yoga, but I know it's good for me. It's like green beans that way. LOL

Maria Zannini said…
Jennifer: Yoga is not for everybody. But it's been amazingly useful to regain my strength.

My biggest surprise was thinking it was some fru-fru transcendental thing but I really work my keester off. LOL.
Cate Masters said…
I hate to admit it - I'm a perfectionist. I want to do everything at a level of excellence. No pressure there, lol.
Congrats on sticking with yoga. I so need to get into a regular routine like that.
Maria Zannini said…
Cate: I think this is why I keep at it.

Re: I hate to admit it - I'm a perfectionist

You didn't have to admit it--the rest of us already knew that. :o)
Ellie Garratt said…
Sorry to read of your injuries, Maria. It's good to read you've worked hard to counteract the damage done.

I used to be incredibly fit, having sailed and done long distance running as a teenager. One thing I've never been is flexible and have limited movement, especially in my legs. My osteopath has often suggested yoga to not only help with this but also to help with stress. I really should do it !
Maria Zannini said…
Ellie: I can't tell you how much it helped. The last straw for me was when I was forced to use a cane. My ego couldn't take it. LOL. I had to do something.