Yoga 13 : Retirement and yoga and working with an injury

This is our attempt to get back to the routine of publishing a regular blog on yoga for retired people after the blogs problems with the server. Unfortunately, because I type these yoga blogs directly into WordPress rather than Word, I have no record of Yoga 12, it has disappeared into the blogasphere for ever. This one I’m retyping for Mrs Summerhouse, it’s a bit delayed and Mrs SH is very nearly recovered from her injury, but we hope you enjoy it. Illustration.s first to go with rest of blog

yoga13Life is full of surprises, who would have thought that when I stepped out to walk Archie on Easter Sunday that a combination of uneven manhole cover and a misplaced foot, while holding onto Archie’s lead (we were by a busy main road), would cause me to fall on my knee (I couldn’t put my hand out to stop my fall on account of holding the lead) and so cause so much pain and some deep reflection on life.

I often tell myself not to take anything for granted especially good health and mobility both of which I consider a gift. Not being able to walk for a few days or even do the simplest movements without pain has grounded me somewhat. I have needed to lean on Mr Summerhouse in more ways than one. He has had to step into my shoes and do Mrs SH type tasks.

Where I have really felt the lack of control and mobility is in my yoga practice, not being able to bend my left leg has thrown up all sorts of problems – how to sit, stand, get in and out of bed but mostly how to get on and off of my yoga mat. I have always spent a lot of time kneeling, I find it very comfortable but it’s also the basis of many yoga postures.

While teaching yoga all these years I have had people in my class who, for one reason or another, have not been able to kneel, so I have learned how to modify yoga movements to suit their needs. I am now putting those same modifications into my own practice. I am slowing improving (see above for latest) and I can see a difference each day. I am so grateful I have no broken bones, just swelling, soreness and stiffness which I know will heal in time, and that’s what I have learned, that you cannot rush healing.

I have felt very frustrated and I now can honestly empathise with people who have limited mobility, it does knock your confidence and throw your whole self out of alignment. To counteract this negative aspect I have spent more time meditating which has really helped.

You may wonder what next? Well, I am going to run my yoga class (she’s run 3 now) for the first time in 3 weeks and I shall be extremely aware of every movement. I am lucky to have a lovely group of people who attend my class, one of whom is a trained yoga teacher who is always willing to help out and support me. What I have also learned is to slow down and be aware of time and space and be grateful for what I do have.

By The Summer House Years

A blog about the psychology of retirement and finding a new identity while maintaining my self esteem. It's also about 'the missing link', an answer to that feeling that there must be more to retirement than this. Or is that just me?

4 comments

  1. Of course I am, what do you take me for some kind of slob? Actually have been doing back exercises under Mrs SH’s guidance

  2. Firstly, hoping Mrs S is well on the mend! The diagrams are encouraging, I think even I could manage these. Some of them remind me of exercises recommended by a physio for lower back problems, which I can confirm are effective.Keep up the good work Mrs S. I hope Mr S is joining in?

  3. This is such a gift! Your drawings are really easy to follow—some of them amusing, but very clear! Good luck with your continued recuperation. So sorry that happened, but there is a reason we older people (speaking for myself now) walk more slowly and place each foot carefully. Painful to watch, but effective nonetheless!

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