I just did the session on my yoga DVD devoted to spinal health. This is day 11 of what my husband says is my time to ‘yoge.’ Today he was in the living room when I wanted to do my session, so I put puppy Amber out on the back porch, set up my mat and props, and put in the DVD.
At one point, the teacher Cat Kabira, asks you to sit back on your knees. This is one of the many areas where I’ve stiffened up over the years and I simply can’t do it. I kneel, sit down v – e – r y slowly, going as far as I can go and then breathe into it. My husband helpfully pointed out I wasn’t sitting up as straight at Cat. I glared at him and then ignored him, continuing to breathe.
When I finished the lesson, I explained to him that there are several areas in my body that aren’t nearly as limber as they used to be. I used to routinely sit comfortably on my butt with my knees bent and my feet out to each side. There is no way in the world I could do this today without my knees blowing out. I explained that I move to where I really start to feel it and then try to breathe into the stiffness, hoping that in time my muscles will loosen. My back is a mass of tight muscles. I told him that when I started this, I could not lie down on my back and relax without a bunch of cramping for a minute or two. I also have really stiff muscles above my arm pits when I’m lying on my back with my arms out to each side and moved up as far as I can and still have them lie flat on the floor.
And so it goes. Each day I’m doing a yoga lesson, and each day I’m giving my body the gift of time and attention after YEARS of ignoring any possible problems. Each day I’m feeling a little bitty bit looser. A scary thing – and bit motivation – is that my mom died at 72 – two years older than I am now – and she was really ‘old and frail.’ Since I have a LOT I want to do, I want to try to help my body be as strong and flexible as possible for as long as I am able.
I’m really happy I found the “Gentle Yoga” DVD set from Sixtyandme.com. Practicing each day – ‘yoging’ – will keep me onery and thinking about another project for years to come!
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