Yoga: How Ironic

lcobb2

Cathlete
Here's some irony for you:

I live in Heidelberg, Germany because my husband is active duty military. I went to Cologne, Germany for a Yoga Conference over the weekend. So, I'm walking down the stairs on my way to the train for the yoga conference. My bags are in hand, with a backpack and purse. I had plenty of time to spare so I wasn't rushed (I have time issues so I don't like rushing). The sunlight hits me in the eyes and I step onto what I thought was the last stair (it wasn't). My left ankle twists violently out to the right. I was able to walk, but knew that this pain was not normal. I elevated my ankle for the entire train ride (two hours), but had no ice. My ankle was sore the rest of the day. I woke up Saturday morning and it was swollen and VERY red. The swelling subsided over the next two days, but I have a nasty bruise close to my heel under the ankle. I can flex and point, but not rotate the ankle. It's still a little sore and swollen.

Is this irony or what? This trip was my birthday present. I've been waiting since January and on the way to conference--to practice yoga--I twist my ankle!!! If you know yoga, the "jist" is about accepting ourselves as we are, striking a balance, and having peace with where you're at rather than forcing or pushing through the process. I take this to mean that the ankle injury was my yoga practice for the weekend--accept what is rather than force with what I desire. That's yoga!

The good news is that the conference was AMAZING!!! I had the opportunity to try lots of different yoga--jivamukti, kundalini, anusara, etc. I modified when needed, but still got a lot out of it. Plus, I had the opportunity to take four classes with Bryan Kest. It was wonderful. Alas, no cardio or Cathe for me for a few days.

Laura

"The difficult periods of life provide the best opportunities to gain useful experiences and develop inner strength. " ~ Dalai Lama
 
Hi Laura.

Sorry about your ankle but I'm glad that you were able to participate in the conference anyway. How cool that you got to take classes with Bryan Kest as well!

Hope your ankle heals quickly!
 
Laura

I'm sorry about the ankle and I do so hope not to repeat your experience. I'm going to a yoga conference mid-June so I was reading this and thinking "please don't let that happen to me".

Hope you recover quickly.
 
That is so kind of you. I wish you well. The conference was invigorating. I have my ankle propped up on the desk right now. The worst is that I can't (shouldn't) do Cathe. I miss her! I'm using this time to hit the weights, do more yoga (I know how to modify since I teach yoga as well), and focus on my clients--I'm a personal trainer as well.

Trainer heal thyself!!


"The difficult periods of life provide the best opportunities to gain useful experiences and develop inner strength. " ~ Dalai Lama:
 
I wish you a speedy recovery. I like to think that I can work through injuries with wisdom and patience...until it actually happens. All that equanimity flies right out the window! :+

Is Bryan as chatty during class as they say he is? A friend of mine attended one of his retreats, and she said he's the coolest guy.
 
I've been to Bryan's classes a few times live. He's just as chatty live as he is on his CDs and MP3 downloads. He curses a little more and actually burps during class just to see how people respond. It's a little crude, but that's the point--are we judging someone??? His style is so Western-friendly that he purposely puts this stuff into his classes to challenge people and not make the class as esoteric as some of the other styles of yoga. I talked with him "off line" as well at the conference and he's really easy going. He's not at all impressed with people who are flexible. I am fairly flexible, but I love his reasoning:

"People who are not flexible are the best candidates for yoga. They have less far to go to get sensation."

He doesn't get into the chanting, chakras, philosphies, etc. that so many other styles do, but he still encourages the same basic premise--get out of your ego, accept yourself, be gentle and breathe through everything.

It really was wonderful. I have every single one of his CDs and MP3s and they are 100% worth it--very challenging, long, and invigorating.

Laura


"The difficult periods of life provide the best opportunities to gain useful experiences and develop inner strength. " ~ Dalai Lama
 
He was my first introduction to yoga. I was looking for something different ~ totally burnt out on the Firm and Tae Bo ~ so I ordered his Power Yoga series. I immediately identified with his style and will always consider him my first teacher. :)

I have two of his CDs (he's quite funny at times) and a few DVDs. I noticed he offers a meditation CD. Have you tried that?
 
I haven't tried his meditation CD, but at the conference this weekend I talked with a woman who purchased it. She said that it is excellent so I'm considering it as a purchase.

"The difficult periods of life provide the best opportunities to gain useful experiences and develop inner strength. " ~ Dalai Lama
 

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