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.