This is my story of…

“I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Everyone who was in the surrounding offices heard me hit the floor.  But I didn’t just fall, I flew forward and then fell.  I found out later that the carpet over the concrete was extremely thin.  The damage to my body was like hitting bare concrete.

That was nearly 20 years ago when working in the corporate world.  At that moment, it was apparent that the most significant injury was to my right knee.  Afterward, I went to an orthopedic doctor, who suggested that I go home to keep the leg elevated for a few days.  Soon it became clear that I had also sustained injuries on the right side, hip, ankle, and shoulder.

The healing period was extensive, but seemingly manageable

It took six months for my shoulder issues to improve and five years for my ankle to improve.  As for the hip, I still have hip pain.  Yes, I have tried everything and seen many doctors only to find out that there is no arthritis or bursitis present.  Yet, the pain has persisted.  At times, it was difficult to sleep, but I managed to basically function.

Was my fall a sign from the universe?  If so, I should have listened the first time…

After a few months off for the surgery and recovery, I went back to work.  Life was getting back to normal.

Then … I was in the wrong place at the wrong time again … again at work.  This incident, I tripped on a loose rug injuring my back on the right side.

I immediately knew something was wrong, but it was late, and I went home to apply an ice pack.  The next day I could not move.  The pain was intense, and my back locked up.  Movement was impossible.  I rested, but there was still no improvement.  After a few days, I tried to go back to work.  It was a challenge because I still had pain from the first fall, and now my back refused to cooperate.  Sleeping was impossible.  The pain was so intense I could not concentrate.  I stopped working, thinking it would be only temporary.

I consulted many doctors to get some relief and get back to work after these two life-changing events.  Not only did this start a long journey to recovery, but I also was never able to return to that job.

My new job was to get well again.

The combination of pain and almost no sleep day after day takes a toll on one’s body and life.  What life?  My days were consumed with going to doctors and trying to get some pain relief and sleep.  I could not sit, stand, or lay down for more than 10 minutes at a time.  Taking more than a few steps was all I could do before my back locked up.  I was so sleep deprived that I would walk into walls.

Unfortunately, traditional medicine did not offer much in the way of relief or a path to improvement.

Being so desperate I turned to a personally frightening measure… Acupuncture!

After a few years of no improvement, I decided to try acupuncture.  That was a big step for me because I don’t like needles, but I was desperate. 

I had no life.   My mobility was extremely limited.  My days were spent trying to get sleep and pain relief.  The pain and numbness down my right leg was so bad that I would have another person lift my leg into the bed to lay down.

The acupuncturist, also a licensed medical doctor, suggested that I try “yoga.”  You can imagine my reaction. I could hardly walk, let alone get myself into pretzel-like poses.  This physician indicated that I needed the right teacher.  At this point, I had nothing to lose, and I was desperate, so I made the “yoga” appointment.

Taking my first step with Yoga

The yoga teacher asked me many questions about what happened and how I felt.  Then she asked me to move a little, very little, since I could hardly walk.  The next recommendation was to attend her class, sitting in a chair, and moving as I was able.

After attending chair yoga once a week for 18 months, I was able to stand a little to do some of the poses and increase the frequency of my attendance.  Gradually, I could move more.  Eventually, I was able to get down on the floor but could not get up, so the teacher pulled me up.  As I was able to move more, some of my pain reduced, enabling my attending class more frequently.  I also started meditation 2-3 times a day listening to a Yoga Nidra CD, which helped with sleep.  I had meditated on and off for years, but now I got serious to help counteract the sleep deprivation.  It helped.

Even though yoga was helping, I wanted to better understand the body and how movement helps us to heal

Along the way, I realized that, if I was going to get better, I needed to understand how the body works to understand the source of all my issues better. I started to learn about the body, how it moves, and what happens when one is injured.

The journey isn’t over, but it’s a much more cheerful tale at this point.  I became a yoga teacher so that I could help others on their wellness journey.  After all, if I could get back to a normal life, so can anyone.  All you need is determination and the right people to help you.

The importance of finding the “right” teacher

Along the way, I learned that yoga isn’t about “pretzel poses.”

I still have hip pain and will probably always have it, but it’s manageable now.  Pain no longer keeps me from doing most of the things I want to do.

Looking back on it now, my whole life has been a preparation for the work I am doing now – – inspiring and helping others along their personal journey.

I can help others with their struggles because I have struggled.  I know what it is like to have very little hope and no clarity from traditional medicine.

Guiding clients along their journey to wellness is my purpose and my way of giving back to all those who helped me!

If you would like help on your wellness journey, schedule a private consultation.

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