yoga class

[Guest guest]

Peggy,

I am sorry you are in such pain! I hope that injections calm things down for

you. It is always such a fine line between improving function and doing

something that aggravates. I know that I like to be in control of my own

stretching, and please do not ever forget what Ellen said, yoga class should not

be a competition of who can get the most gumby like.

I hope you are able to go back to the class if it is your wish to do so...after

everything seems settled down. When you do...remember that you dont need any

extra stretching help. My trained PT, after about a month of working together,

and despite having seen my xrays and saying she understood I was fused to the

sacrum, was trying to get me to bend at the waist. She forgot. Your yoga teacher

may just not always have your personal limitations in the forefront of her

mind... only you can protect yourself.

If you decide not to pursue yoga, when planning the retreat last year I did find

that there were a number of nice indoor pool facilites near by you...and I

believe also one PT group has their own warm water therapy pool. Try it, you

might like it!

Let us know how things go. Feel better.

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Dr. Hey wants me to have trigger point injections at the pain management clinic. We are hoping that will calm the irritation. If not, we will figure out something else to do.

Peggy

[ ] yoga class

I just attended the most wonderful yoga class! Most of the members were my age or older. The instructer is 58, a registered nurse at the hospital, built like Ellen, and most interested in a person's health and not putting your body in postures it cannot hold. One lady has scoliosis and hip problems, one lady recently had a hip replacement, one lady has a pinched nerve between L5-S1, only one or two were actually "healthy". I had told her and the lady at the library that planned the class about my extensive fusion. They were amazed at my flexibility. And looking around I was more flexible than some with a "perfect" spine! Imagine that!! The instructor said it was obvious that I was made to do yoga. I have the benefit of always having been double-jointed like our Kam! I also felt my hip popping during some of the movements that actually made it feel better! For the first time today I am not limping! She teaches a very gentle class for people with health issues so this is perfect for me! She will also do private instruction if interested. I told her that I had watched and exercised along with some yoga TV shows but that Ellen had taught me at the retreat to do what was right for my body and not try to make myself look like everyone else doing the postures. She said that advice was right on and gave me a high five! This class will be once a week so I can't wait to go back next Wednesday! It will be as good as PT, massage, and acupuncture since I can't afford any of those right now!

Peggy

[Guest guest]

Cam,

My neighbor actually teaches water aerobics to seniors at the local gym. She has invited me several times but you know how timid I am when it comes to water! I prefer to stay on land as I need something weightbearing for my osteoporosis.

Peggy

[ ] Re: yoga class

Peggy,I am sorry you are in such pain! I hope that injections calm things down for you. It is always such a fine line between improving function and doing something that aggravates. I know that I like to be in control of my own stretching, and please do not ever forget what Ellen said, yoga class should not be a competition of who can get the most gumby like.I hope you are able to go back to the class if it is your wish to do so...after everything seems settled down. When you do...remember that you dont need any extra stretching help. My trained PT, after about a month of working together, and despite having seen my xrays and saying she understood I was fused to the sacrum, was trying to get me to bend at the waist. She forgot. Your yoga teacher may just not always have your personal limitations in the forefront of her mind... only you can protect yourself.If you decide not to pursue yoga, when planning the retreat last year I did find that there were a number of nice indoor pool facilites near by you...and I believe also one PT group has their own warm water therapy pool. Try it, you might like it!Let us know how things go. Feel better.Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Peggy,

Now look at it his way...maastering the water would be a fun challenge! I am

sure it is all done in the shallow end and your feet would be touching.

I would say that you could also look at the osteoporosis issue the way I do: the

water workout is to strengthen me, but it is not all I do...I still have to walk

for the weight bearing part....so I do 3X week to the pool and other days try to

do at least :30 mins walking. I dont really have to walk all that fast for

cardio since I have accomplished that already in the pool. And hey, variety is

the spice of life!

Hope your injections work.

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

I'm not flexible all over but some areas are really shaping up. I remember telling y'all after revision that when my "no bending" restrictions were lifted I wanted to be able to touch my toes again. Well tonight I did more than that. I was hinged forward at the hips (of course the "normal" people were bent over with a curved spine) with my arms just dangling down totally relaxed and my head hanging down as much as possible. She had us stay in this pose just breathing deeply and relaxing. As I said, my arms were dangling down with my fingers curled - hands relaxed - before I knew it the curve of my fingers (NOT my fingertips) were touching the floor! My hamstrings had relaxed so much with the deep breathing that I easily touched the floor! Kam, I'm going to catch up with your flexibility! You are my inspiration! Maybe I'll even learn to do a handstand like Ellen did!!

Peggy

[Guest guest]

I got the trigger point injection at the screw site and it has done well. I might need a pain pill once every 3 days instead of 3 per day. I am looking forward to the next injection into the piriformis. I think that will take care of the tightness I've had since revision.

Peggy

[ ] Re: yoga class

Peggy,Sounds wonderful. I know for me, getting muscles long again really has meant extra capability...although I do it other ways. I dont think I will ever be able to do what Ellen, or Kam, can do...but it is nice to have that mental picture before me when I am thinking I cant "get" more.How has that screw/irritation problem resolved? I am imagining things are okay if you are back in your class? Take it easy!Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

I'm sooooo jealous!-DyannFrom: Peggy Greene <jpgunlimited@...>Subject: [ ] yoga class Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 8:35 PM

I'm not flexible all over but some areas are really shaping up.  I remember telling y'all after revision that when my "no bending" restrictions were lifted I wanted to be able to touch my toes again.  Well tonight I did more than that.  I was hinged forward at the hips (of course the "normal" people were bent over with a curved spine) with my arms just dangling down totally relaxed and my head hanging down as much as possible.  She had us stay in this pose just breathing deeply and relaxing.  As I said, my arms were dangling down with my fingers curled - hands relaxed - before I knew it the curve of my fingers (NOT my fingertips) were touching the floor!  My hamstrings had relaxed so much with the deep breathing that I easily touched the floor!  Kam, I'm going to catch up with your flexibility!  You are my inspiration!  Maybe I'll even learn to do a handstand like Ellen did!!

 

Peggy