Feeling Nostalgic...

It's been a pretty fascinating rehab experience...I'll say that! 4 months ago I could not ride my bicycle, climb stairs, plie', squat, or jog. Now? Now...I'm able to do all of it! (at my pace, of course!) I am in awe of the process, and how it has played such a major role in my life and motivation to move on up!

Intu-flow (i am convinced), has helped tremendously. In the beginning stages of rehab, I was scared to death of doing any type of exercise. Hearing the news that I have a probable ruptured ACL was a big hit to my ego. So, I went through a process of feeling very vulnerable. With the support of my husband, friends, family, and my coach, I was able to see past the initial fear.

I could kick myself for not photographing or documenting the process of rehab with Intu-flow. For the first few weeks, I couldn't ride my bike, or climb stairs. I had very limited lateral mobility, and had to 'ration' the time that I was actually using my legs each day. My knee was exhausted, and in a constant state of pretty serious flexion. But here's the deal...the less I used my leg, the more pain I experienced. My coach recommended that I increase my daily Intu-flow, and add down-dog/up-dog to my daily routine. Holding these poses, kept my knee challenged in a safe way. As time went on, I added plank pose, and balance ball exercises.

About 3 weeks ago, I strutted into my Coach's studio with a big smile. The night before I tried modified squats for the first time in 3 months, and I was able to do 10 squats at a comfortable speed without any pain! Coach Hurst proceeded to work with me, and just yesterday he took me through a 30 minute workout session which included Intu flow, lunges, clubbell exercises, plank poses, and pull-ups with rings. How did I feel afterwards? GREAT!

I owe alot to Coach Hurst for intelligently guiding me towards 'renovating' my knee. A coach who believes whole-heartedly in a program is priceless, and often a rare find. When you are badly injured, it's so easy to get lost in negativity. When you are really 'present' in your life, and for others, you can evolve, and be a source of inspiration. But, when you wrap yourself around negativity...you stop 'living.' You live in panic, and impossibility.

Back in the day, I was lucky enough to be taught by a very wise theatre director. He always spoke of how necessary it was to take risks in life, and onstage. He'd encourage us to move towards the work that seemed impossible, or frightening. Working under his direction was one of the most rewarding times in my life, for that reason alone.

So, here I am 20 yrs. later, reminising and applying these lessons to my recovery. I feel a sense of acceptance, and strength that I hadn't felt before the injury. The injury pushed me towards creativity through recovery, and my sources of inspiration guided me towards LIVING my life, rather than feeling that my life had diminished.

Gimpy Graduates!

Okay, so...I'm making some progress with my knee through the Intu-Flow program, a bit of Yoga, and some rehab exercises! I have been working on a daily 15 minute Intu-flow workout (at a comfortable pace). In the beginning stages of my injury, my knee looked very swollen, dramtically flexed, and stiff. I felt an overall imbalance throughout my spine, shoulders, and hips. I was walking with a pretty defined limp, and had difficulty getting up the stairs...going down the stairs was nearly impossible.

Now, my body feels more balanced. My limp, and swelling has drastically decreased and I have a strong increase in mobility. Just a few days ago, I met with Coach Hurst to work on my core, and upper body . I was surprised to see that I had the strength to get into plank position without pain! And after he put me through 'the ringer', I did not feel defeated. I felt stronger, and had more energy.

This really confirms my beliefs surrounding CST and the need that the body has to be partially active in order to recover. While I agree that the body needs proper time to rest immediately after injury, we are also given signs for when it's ready to start the rehabilitation process. We just have to be keen listeners.

28 days of Rehab!

So, I have a minor set-back before me. A few weeks back I had an outdoor performance, and hurt my knee....pretty bad. The doc says that it is either one of two things... I have either torn my ACL (i can only hope), or I have ruptured my ACL and will need surgery. I'm going for a second, third, and fourth opinion on this! I am not one to jump into surgery ....who is???!!
Anyway, this comes at a very interesting time...I was on my way to setting up a 28day CST program with my Coach. At heart, I tend to ...let's say... "bulldoze" my way toward physical goals. So this has been a challenge for me! My "bulldozing" has to come from a different place in my psyche. I need to take a look at healing. Becoming stronger through CST, and focusing on recovery. It's a good thing for me. It comes at an awkward time, but...I can learn from it, and hopefully share the knowledge with others.
Currently, I am working on Intu-flow daily...along with several other CST methods which focus on healing, and strengthening. It's 28 days of rehab! (although...not your average Rehab!)

"Fifteen men on the dead man's chest, Yo, ho, ho, and a bottle of rum."

"We're working out like pirates, now!" says the captain of the...uh...er..training studio! We did indeed. Coach Hurst put me through a rigorous workout using club bells, and rings. We worked on compensatory movements, emphasizing the deltoids, lats, triceps, biceps, pecs, core, glutes, quads....wait....Let's just say that everything was worked! I laughed when Coach Hurst made the pirate comment, and then it REALLY made sense to me. The image and words that come to mind when I think 'pirate' are burly, gritty, gutsy, and adventurous. Oh..and I'll throw in the image of Johnny Depp (just for fun!)
Anyway, burly, gritty, gutsy, and adventurous...PERFECT description for this workout! What I am realizing is that the importance of integrating compensatory movements into a workout is sooo essential to balancing the body. I mean..it IS balance! Far too often have I seen one, or two major muscle groups "worked" rigorously. I've done it many times myself. Now, I see how this all leads to possible injury and an unbalanced body.
Our workout was tough today. Burly..check. Gritty...check(i was even using chalk for the ring portion of the workout!) Gutsy...check(um...anything that Coach Hurst introduces fits this description!) Adventurous...check(I've never done ring work before!) So, yeah...we were working it like pirates; and of all places...in Osaka, Japan!

Sticking with it

While this is my first post, I have been training under the direction of Coach Ryan Hurst, with the hopes of eventually becoming a CST instructor. I love the program! It's made up of 3 physical components which are Intu-flow, Prasara Yoga, and Club bell training. It's unlike any other exercise system that I have tried. As I have been dancing for many years, and am also a pilates instructor, it seems that I can never get enough when it comes to learning new kinetic forms. So, here I am once again diving into unknown territory, intrigued by it all!

Along with keeping my physical regimen up, I am now starting a 28 day challenge. I'm journaling my food, and taking a look at which areas of my body are in need of a tune-up, or in need of a challenge. Needless to say, no easy task. Lesson #1 Stick with it!