This is my very first blog. It may be incredibly just a tad long.
Disclaimer, this blog talks about things that work for me. I mostly will talk about my yoga practice, and sometimes I will just talk about my life, or other random stuff,.. whichever happens to hit me first.
A Good Fit
I love Viniyoga. We’re just a good fit! What do I love about Viniyoga? Well, first of all, it is so very doable. In all my studies I have never been asked to do anything my body could not, or would not do, AND I have been offered options, YES! Options like when you buy a car you get to choose cool options that work for you, like satellite radio, or that cool switch that starts your car while you are still in the house, or a sunroof so you won’t feel claustrophobic, or those awesome seats that keep your butt warm (you know what I’m talking about)! It’s like that, Viniyoga gives you options, options like how to use your arms so your shoulder feels better instead of worse, options like using a different pose entirely because your body doesn’t get along with the one pose that everybody else is doing (there are way more options but I don’t have the time to go into them all). You choose the options that work for you. Another thing I really love about Viniyoga, and I confess this really got me from the get go, there isn’t a predetermined “list” of things you “just have to have” on hand in order to practice, like,.. Oh I don’t know let’s see,.
-1,2,3,4,5 wool blankets
- 1,2,3 blocks
- a 6 foot strap AND
-a 12 foot strap
- a super duper eco friendly yoga mat, oh and some
-sand bags 5lb and 3lb and an
- eye pillow filled with flax and lavender
Okay, after getting all this stuff,..I am tired already, let’s just Savasana and get it over with! Using props may be your thing, and I am not knocking it because it can be really great, but we are talking about me here remember. (Don't get me wrong, we do use props in Viniyoga, and I use props in my practice when necessary, but most of the time it's just not my thing.) I love that Viniyoga meets me where I am, with what I have. In fact for my first 6 months doing yoga I didn't even use a mat, but I confess they are really nice and would recommend that you get one.
My Parts Of Me
Viniyoga came to me as a tool to help me take care of ME (Did I mention that this blog was about me?). It works on all my parts; my body, my energy, my mind, my emotions, my heart and spirit. Now sometimes it is an instant fix, kinda like that pudding that you just mix with milk and it’s all ready to go (yummy coconut cream!), and sometimes it takes some time, like that other pudding (Rice pudding with cinnamon OH YUM!) that you have to cook like for hours (days-years).
Meet The Urps
So one of my parts that needs special attention is my body (now,... I DO possess a few extra pounds, but that is not what I am talking about here). I have this unrelenting repetitive stress injury (hereafter to be referred to as Urps, as in “erps” like Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan). My Urps injury is really hideous (it does not LOOK hideous, it just FEELS hideous like ouch! all the time ouch!). It’s my shoulder and the most annoying part about it is that it comes from my current job as a dog groomer. (You know the job, the one that brings home the bacon). This time of year, I have lots of busy days getting all those dirty doggies all fluffy and purr-ty for the holidays, and my Urps injury really gets revved up. So much so that, well,… “YOU CAN BAKE YOUR OWN DANG COOKIES OK!”
Halleluiah Holiday!!!
Along with aggravating my Urps, this time of year offers me something to look forward to, my Halleluiah Holiday! This is where I get to scream out loud, “Halleluiah! Praise the lord! I don’t have to groom any dogs!” I do this several times a year, but this time of year is best because I do nothing but have a Holiday! No school, no traveling, and I don’t groom any dogs, NONE for like two whole weeks! (Isn’t that exciting!!!)
You Don’t Get Something For Nothing
So, now I find myself on my most best “Halleluiah Holiday” of the year, no doggies to fluff, and no constant repetitive stress-ey motion to make my arm all goo-gooey. And since I am not continuously re-injuring, I can focus on healing my Urps. (Hooray!)
Feeling better sometimes requires you to do something. Here are some things I must do to help my URPS to feel better.
1- I have to stop (or reduce) doing what hurts.
(You know what they say, if it hurts don’t do it? I’m still working on explaining that to my paycheck!)
2- I have to do MY yoga practice. (The one that fits me)
3- It can’t be just any old yoga practice. It has to be a well designed practice, especially for my Urps. I have to think about what my poor repetitive-ly stressed body needs, and then I have to put together a practice that carefully addresses those needs.
Talking to My Body
I’ve learned through Viniyoga (which I love!) that it really pays to listen to what your body is saying. So sometimes I just have to sit down and have a conversation with my body. Note~ at least for this installment of “talking to my body”, the part of “body” must be read as the boy in “Charlie bit me“, because that makes sense.
Body: Lady, that really hurts!
Me: Okay so maybe we won’t do that for a while.
Body: Thanks for that, but quite possibly you are too late, I feel pretty awful. I think I may die.
Me: You won’t die, we are just going to rest, and then maybe we will move a little, how does that sound?
Body: That sounds stupid!!!! I mean I’m not sure I CAN move! That REALLY hurt, and you used up all my energy. I feel faint.
Me: Well let’s just see how we feel after a good rest and some gentle movement and we will go from there ok. I promise if it REALLY hurts we won’t do it. Is that a deal?
Body: You promise if it REALLY hurts we won’t do it?
Me: Yes I promise, and I also promise a hot bath, a massage, and ibuprofen if necessary.
Body: Well, okay, but you have to be gentle with me because I am near death.
Me: You will be fine, stop being a baby!
So as agreed, I stopped doing that (the dogs cause it really hurts). I listened to my body and carefully designed an appropriate yoga practice, implemented the practice and Voila! I start feeling better. Hmmmm,….. Despite my repeated experience with this same scenario, I am still always amazed at how much better I feel when I am doing the right things for my body. (DUH! Where have you been all my life?)
The Love Story
So here is the story. I love Viniyoga and, Viniyoga loves me! Over the years, it has become more than just yoga. It has become MY yoga, my friend, what I need, when I need it (told you it was all about me). The Viniyoga tradition emphasizes developing a personal practice. Something just right for you, like a donut, (~note to self, don’t blog when you are hungry.) blueberry cake or maple bar, warm glazed or chocolate cream filled, which one do you want? Take your pick! Your practice can be long, strong, and sweaty, it can be slow, meditative, and loaded with positive affirmations, it can be short and deceivingly effective, or silent and full of stillness. Different strokes for different folks and it may change from day to day.
To get to a place where you can practice yoga on your own safely and deeply, you have to practice and study. As with anything it takes time, dedication, and diligence. Great books can be helpful, but it is always best if you can work with a well trained teacher who can support you on your journey and help you tailor a personal practice that fits your needs!
Anyway I was talking about me, (so back to ME!) I am 3 days and counting into my most favorite Halleluiah Holiday, (Three days? But I feel so much better!) and what brought me to write my first blog,… my amazement at the simplicity and effectiveness of Viniyoga. When you do the practice that is just right for you you get awesome results! My Urps is feeling pretty darn good, my practice is supporting the healing of my injury, and I am enjoying the massive benefits of a true yoga practice, one designed just for me, just as yoga should be.
Note to foot, I mean foot note~I will return to work in just a few days and most likely my Urps will be back at it bugging me. But what I have learned on my Most Best Halleluiah Holiday Ever!! will help me to manage the "ouch factor". One day my Urps will retire (and I will throw the Urps a great big retirement party with cake and flowers!) until then I will do my best to take care of my body using what I have learned from my yoga practice.