Friends and Kitties!
Sheebie here.
It's been nearly a year since I was able to resume exercising after fracturing my kneecap. You never realize how much effort it takes to simply move across the room until you break something important. Overall, I'd say the rehab has been more painful than the actual injury--limping and favoring one side of my body for several months atrophied the muscles and tendons on my left side visibly. Seriously, my pants were looser on my left leg than my right, and I had (still have, occasionally) chronic lower back pain from the unevenness in my frame.
Last year I started practicing yoga, and I'd been at it about twelve weeks when I had my accident in May. I enjoyed it so much though that I knew I'd resume it just as soon as I could, and when I went down to Arizona to visit my parents the following October I went to a couple of classes with my Mom (thanks Mom!) and that got the ball rolling for me again. As long as I respected my knee's edge I was safe. And oh, how I love it. The past year has been a revelation in what my body can do--me, almost 52, learning to do a headstand in the middle of the room! I am amazed and proud of myself. I've gone at least twice a week for an entire year now and I'm happy to report that my knee is at 100%, and the back/hip pain no longer distracts me enough to deter a good night's sleep or a long walk. I go to a great studio with small classes and wonderful teachers where there's lots of hands-on adjustments and feedback--it's an incredibly warm and nurturing place for the body and soul.
On the days I don't go to a formal class I like to practice at home, even if it's only for twenty minutes because 1) it's so energizing, and 2) I know that if I don't keep my hip limber I'll suffer that evening--pain is such a powerful motivator!
So I thought I'd toot my own horn for 90 seconds and do a Sun Salutation for you.
Notice my Helper?
or click HERE
It gives me such joy to practice.
Thanks for letting me share!
XX Sheebie SS
It would not be nearly as effective without the kitty now would it?
ReplyDeleteGood for you!
Wow, good job Sheebie! Maui has great moves too!
ReplyDeleteLovely yoga! Maui is the purrfect accomplice, too.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Sunday, furriends.
XOXO
Good for you! Your partner is adorable :)
ReplyDeleteMy human was impressed - she can't get her nose all the way to her knees, or her heels to touch the ground in Downward Facing Dog. But that is probably because she only does yoga about three times a month, favoring dance and strength training instead. I do wish she would do yoga more - I enjoy helping her like Maui helps you, and in fact, every cat she has had since she first started doing yoga in the late 1990s has been her helper. Harlot and Binga used to fight over who was going to lie on top of her for the Corpse pose!
ReplyDeleteThat is really impressive! If (more like when) I get an injury from running I need to reread this post as it just shows how patience and determination are needed in recovery. Some amazing moves there - and not just from your attentive little yoga student!
ReplyDeleteI don't think you'd be able to do it without Maui demonstrating it for you :)
ReplyDeleteSee how Maui stretches and does his own "kitty-yoga" Love it! Congratulations to you, too, and how you have advanced so far with your knee. Keep up the great work!!
ReplyDeleteGlenda from Winfield Kansas
Cool, Sheebie!!!
ReplyDeleteMaybe one day you can do Yoga like this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR_urcJfQYE&spfreload=10
Oh, my Mom really envies you. You look so flexible and healthy!
ReplyDeleteLove the yoga mate!!
ReplyDeleteWe sure do envy you being able to do all that. Good for you to do those exercises. But it made my body hurt to watch that.Great help from the cat. Take care.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! My Dad would fall and hurt his butt.
ReplyDeleteDid you do yoga? All I saw was cutie Maui. No, just kidding but it was fun to see Maui and also Sweet Pea (I think?).
ReplyDeleteYour yoga form is perfect! I am so impressed. You definitely should be proud.
You and Maui should do ballet together. Very nice intertwining there! If The Staff tried that, she'd be hospitalised!! ;)
ReplyDeleteThat is very impressive! And your helper is excellent. No one does yoga better than a feline, after all.
ReplyDeleteImpressive! You are very supple, and of course Maui was very good too.
ReplyDeleteI discovered Yoga in 2007, I had backache, and was as stiff as a broom. Now I am as flexible as a monkey !
ReplyDeleteWe're impressed.
ReplyDeleteWe see at the first glance that kitties gave you some advice about flexibility ! Mum always says, work out regularly, and you'll do it ! Purrs
ReplyDeletebravo bravo bravo..Sheebie I'm tooting my horn for you too 200% impressed here.IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE A SNAZZY NEW HAIR DO TOO. KITTIES ARE MASTER OF YOGA TOO
ReplyDeleteHUGS MADI AND MOM
Bravo Sheebie! I have always wanted to do yoga but I have vertigo, serious vertigo and there are some places I just cannot go anymore. But I am so glad this is helping you stay limber and Maui was a terrific partner.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! You make it look easy....and certainly it wouldn't appear you had such a serious injury.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've seen my toes (from that position) let alone touched them in 10 years. :(
Great work by Maui too!
Handstands? Pawstands? WOW! I don't think my peeps could EVER do those.
ReplyDeletePurrs,
Nissy
Dat's pawsum. Glad yous feelin' better and found sum help fur da pain.
ReplyDeleteLuv ya'
Dezi and Lexi
Several comments Sheebie...
ReplyDeleteWow.
Cute top.
You're so flexible.
I'm envious.
Maui, you're a great helper and I loved your stretch at the end too!
Your help was exquisite! I see Maui showed you up with a purrfect yoga pose!!
ReplyDeleteWe are uber impressed, Sheebie!!!
ReplyDeleteYou (and Maui) are make quite the yogi team!
: )
Sounds like you are enjoying yoga a lot! I've never tried yoga...and can't imagine myself doing headstand :-) But it must be fun specially with furry companion. Love the video. You have very beautiful physique!
ReplyDeleteWow...that was amazing. Mom is so jealous. She has always wanted to do yoga, but if you are unable to balance it isn't possible. She says you look, "great." We like to help her with her PT exercises. She has one where she has to breath through a straw. A couple of days ago, Mauricio kept batting it out of her mouth over and over agin. MOL. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
ReplyDeleteVery impressive! I've been wanting to do yoga too...but with my bad hip, I just don't think I can do it. Gotta get this thing fixed so I can get as good as you. :)
ReplyDeleteIsland Cat Mom
Congratulations! That is fantastic that yoga has helped your recovery and that you are so good at it. My hubby and I are yoga flunkies, we made it through a 5 week class, but never registered again. I love the kitty helper-that is too cute. Maybe if yoga classes had kitties there, I would be tempted to go.
ReplyDeleteI used to do yoga years ago--I really need to get back to it. Look how flexible you are!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Love your yoga mates! Looking at you makes me think I should start again!
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff. Dad did Yoga, Tae Kwo Do and Powerlifting back in the day. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting that knee back in shape.
Good for you! I often think I would like to get more into yoga, but I'm so anti exercise class, joining up with things, that I'm not sure how well I'd do.
ReplyDeleteTW took yoga classes when she as young and used to get nosebleeds after she came home so she had to stop. Your legs look the same size to me. TW’s leg where she broke the ankle years ago is still way skinnier and she does a lot of walking.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are enjoying yoga! I miss it terribly, since my reconstruction it is very difficult for me to support my body on my hands in planks and downward dogs so I stopped practicing :-(
ReplyDelete