Thirty years ago I found myself in the unenviable position of being a pedestrian caught (right side only, thank you Lord) between a parked car and a driving drunk. I was so blessed not to lose a limb or worse. But after weeks in the hospital, months of rehab, I spent years needing aid walking, climbing stairs and having liquid drained off joints that just wouldn't function.
I continued to be challenged by the serious damage and chronic pain in my right hip, knee and ankle joints – all torn and broken not to mention the ongoing tape that played in my head, "you can't do that" because of your injuries.
Eventually I got on with it, but twenty years later, I still could not even kneel down, move laterally quickly or rotate my hip.
Fast forward to September, 2001. Our world had been turned upside down by four planes and 19 murderers. Being a consultant, business was put on hold as travel came to a screeching halt. Which was a good thing -- as emotionally, I was upside down too.
With God's wisdom -- His strong hand on my shoulder (that's a whole other story!) -- I ended upstairs from my grocery store in a 100-degree-plus room just days after 9.11. One of my greatest joys is that my best friend joined me just a couple of weeks later and has a dedicated and inspiring practice. The journey has proven to be life-changing – both physically and spiritually. So much so, no matter where I travel, I try to stay close to a studio. I've practiced Bikram from Portland to Manhattan, Bozeman to Vancouver.
Practicing Bikram Yoga transformed my physical life in a couple of significant ways. First, I have been able to regain enormous range of motion in my right side. I can kneel down almost completely now. No longer do my joints give out on me or require ongoing medical attention. Other "ailments" that crept up on me (carpal tunnel, sciatica, etc.) have been beaten by staying consistent in my yoga practice.
But perhaps most important is that I had our third child three years ago at 45. And my yoga helped me through the pregnancy and continues to help transform and energize my body (I'll need it since at 50 I'll have a college freshman, a 16 year old and a kindergartener!)
When I began, the challenge seemed strictly physical. But over time, I realized I was not doing this yoga only for myself nor was it only me participating. The purpose of the yoga is to progress my body to the place where my spirit can be so in tune with God that every breath, every step I take will be intentional. That's a tall order but what I know I am called to shoot for. And the great thing about this yoga and this studio in particular is you are not alone.
Though you will often hear "you are your own best teacher", the truth is the teachers I have been so privileged to have over the years have each lighted my path with special insight and motivation.
Yoga does not keep you young, it makes you ageless.
Progress not perfection.
If it hurts, you need it.
If you can, you must.
Breathe.
Namaste.
Nancy Crume
