"A tough pregnancy exacerbated my existing scoliosis & chronic back pain followed, then my sciatic nerve got involved & numbness & searing pain began in my legs, hips & back"
Excruciating back pain meant I couldn’t even think about lying on my stomach, & walking down the hallway at the Fitness center where I taught Yoga required at least 2-3 breaks to relieve the pain by dropping to all fours on the floor
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I forced myself to teach three-yoga classes a week while I ran my theatre programs from a squatted or seated position & spent the rest of the day lying down in pain. Depression & a very bruised ego set in
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I called a friend of mine who is a physical therapist & asked if she could give me some insight into what was wrong. “No more stretching, build strength” she said. How was I supposed to do that? I could hardly stand up. So I started doing what I could, & trying to do what I couldn’t, & a few months later I heard that @kathrynbudig would be in town teaching workshops. I first heard of her when I first found interest in Yoga! Who better to learn back bends from!! There was nothing in the physical practice that I was less able at than back bends, so I went to learn from a great teacher & let me tell you, she did NOT disappoint
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I had never had the USE of asanas explained the way she did: they are not to be performed but used as individual tools. And her explanations of how to get into and out of backbends changed everything. Start from the neck, don’t start from the ground up, use the wall, control your tailbone & PUFF up your chest. She was incredibly kind & genuine and filled a room full of women with inspiration & courage
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Since then, instead of avoiding back bends I have incorporated them regularly into my practice & they're vital in keeping my back strong & pain free. I now walk, & hike, & do everything I could do before, & more, because Yoga - a yoga teacher even - saved my life 🙏❤
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