Ok – I am not SURE this is how is happened, but it sounds like me. About ten days ago I got it in my head to throw big pieces; a large bowl, plate or vase. I am a potter, so by this I mean that I was going to throw pots with greater than usual amounts of clay. I did so for two days, wedging, centering and throwing 8 to 10 pounds (a lot for me), several pieces in a row for a few hours at a time, a couple of days in a row. Then off to teach my yoga classes and in the few evenings at home I have been knitting. Add that to my screen time and there is a lot of “favoritism” on my right side with head suspended over my right shoulder. Voila – the magic mixture ended in a weird neck pain with negative nerve messages going from scalp to wrist accompanied by large knots in shoulder and neck muscles. But, hey, I am a yoga teacher! I know what to do! I just use these massage balls, do a few stretches and right as rain!… NOT! I really have to get professional help, which I finally do.
I reduce my monitor time, my mat efforts, and my other activities. I have to, I can’t rotate my head nor can I lift my arm above my shoulder. Acceptance and humility need to be honored. I teach classes with reduced range of motion, operating within my capacity when demonstrating poses. Surprise – I am modeling what I teach! With contrast therapy (ice then heat), reduced activities and household help from hubby I am back on the road to mobility, as long as I continue to practice moderation. Writing this blog – enough computer time for now. Morning yoga, slow and kind. Events for the day – still minimal.
I have to care for myself as I would want you to care for yourself. I feel better enough now that I have to mindfully throttle back activities so I don’t over do it. I am prone to that; that is how I got into this mess.
Kyczy Hawk E-RYT200 is a yoga instructor specializing in teaching yoga to people in recovery and the creator of the SOAR(tm) (Success Over Addiction and Relapse) certification program. Find more about her and the SOAR(tm) program at www.yogarecovery.com.