THE ARROGANCE OF IT ALL
originally posted 2015
It seems to be a trend these days Hip Replacements. Before my diagnoses I only heard of this happening to a few very elderly people, certainly not yoga teachers and certainly never me. After A severe bike fall and pain began and then the X-ray and diagnoses 8 months ago, I am scheduled for in one week for surgery. Yes, it is humbling Quite.
I have been stunned to read about why yoga may contribute. I even heard that because Lady Gaga did yoga she had to have a hip replacement! Not considering all the other things she did on stage that may have been a greater cause of her situation. So my professional conclusion is:
SHIT HAPPENS! As I am in my early 60’s I have always been active and yoga has been my main love and always balanced all that I did (hiking, biking swimming) Yoga has saved me, healed me on all levels, physically included. If I were to be forewarned that the forward bends, backbends or twists were contributing to my present situation, do I wish I never did it? NOPE. Would I change how I practiced? No. I have been blessed with great teachers and yoga has saved and healed me on every level. Would any athlete stop doing something for fear of possible outcome? How many yoga practitioners are out there? Lots and Lots, Thousands, lots of thousands. My parents never did anything past the age of 25, they ate what they wanted they smoked and drank and lived into their 80’s.
Shit Happens We have bodies. We age, regardless of what we do, what we eat, If we are vegetarian, paleo or whatever is the latest politically correct food trend on the calendar
I am humbled. Our generation is steeped in its own arrogance. At this point my thoughts on this are in the germination stage but it is a humility and humbleness that precedes my empathy towards others but encompasses a respect that we may not be the ones who determine the weather, or what may happen to us in our smallness while on this earth.
But, that being said, I am forever grateful for all of the healing gifts from those who have been my teachers, students and mentors to the practical tools that have made my life a source of inspiration for myself and others.
I am humbled by my arrogance as someone who has done yoga for so many years thinking that I am beyond what all others will have to go through one way or another. It will be with the help of yoga along with all of my other healing tools I have collected through my life hopefully I will resume my freedom of movement new and improved. Improved with a greater sense of compassion, humility and respect for life and the changes that lead us to a greater appreciation for the spiritual within us and the joy of life around me.
Meanwhile lots of balance poses, strengthening poses and anything else I can figure out in this uncharted territory.
