Last year, while attending my normal noon flow class, I convinced myself that I should be able to do a new balancing posture. The instructor even propped me up, more, by saying I should be able to do it. I was strong. I forced myself into the posture and landed in an awkward position. I felt something pop and finished the class. Immediately, I sensed something was wrong. I had difficulty putting my pants on. Could barely lift up my right leg. I had discomfort.
I called my massage therapist and he tore apart my leg. Told me he thought it was a gracilis injury. A slender muscle in the inner thigh. I tried to self diagnose by describing the pain on a medical website and feared it was a groin injury. Prognosis, rest and let heal for a few months. Great, I thought, no yoga for the foreseeable future.
My therapist was correct. It was a thigh muscle tweak. I saw him for a few massages and returned to yoga. Always favored the right leg, too. Anytime I felt a twinge of vulnerability in my thigh, I backed off the posture.
Fast forward to last Monday. I had attended six solid days of yoga. Monday, I did back to back to back flow classes. A little tight. Determined to continue through to the evening. I had a dinner date with my friend, Cale. I knew that I would not miss that. Wine would be welcome after 9 hours of yoga. The first class was a slow flow class. I had attended the instructor's class in the last two intensives. Knew that she paid attention to when I went into Warrior A and always suggested I lengthen the stance. The next class was geared at baby boomers. We did some intense stretching and lovely restorative postures. If anything, I was tired for the previous days of yoga. Tight, overworked, exhausted.
The third class was the only one I really wanted to attend. This woman is a master sequencer. Kind, gracious and a badass in my opinion. I love being able to take her classes. I always learn something. This time, I learned that I should have gotten a massage before stretching myself so thin. Julie plays music. I also appreciate this. Innovative flow, music....how could this not be my favorite class of the intensive. We warmed up and started doing a sequence which included a handstand with a chataranga follow. I told myself that I should be able to do this. I had mastered (or so I had convinces myself) the handstand in the Friday class. Basically, I was narcissistic. Yep, I can admit it. I was a jackass.
I kicked up into the handstand and when I tried to kick back into the chataranga sequence, I landed on my right hip. Pain. Lots of pain. Immediate pain. I knew that I had retweaked my gracilis to a certain degree. I finish the class and force myself to leave the studio. I needed to find a massage therapist and fast. I wanted to have him adjust me and release some of the tightness in my quads, hamstrings, knees.
The therapist was okay. I felt better and realized that he could have done more. I confirmed my dinner date with Cale, even bumped it up. I then called Dr. Bryn to see what she thought of my situation. Her response--don't get a massage yet. You need to rest a few days. Ice it, take some anti-inflammatories, rest. Then get a massage. I had arnica cream with me (Ironically brought it with me from Santa Fe) and could buy some apple cider vinegar and Epsom salt.
I met Cale for dinner and then retired to the yoga house. I woke up early the next morning and observed the class. I was stiff and sore from sitting down. Instead of continuing to observe at the studio which was an option, I called Jan and begged to stay with her. I wanted to feel at ease while healing. I had access to a bath tub and my own room. No more waking up to my roommate snoring. And, of course, day drinking was involved. Jan is always up for that.
Thankfully, I have taken multiple salt baths, wrapped my leg in apple cider vinegar, used a heating pad and had a few massages to nurse it back to health. I have attended three yoga classes and am hopeful that I will be back to 100% by next week.
My training suffered as a result of the injury in some aspects. However, I have been rushing the training in an attempt to get it over with. I don't know that this is the best move for me. I intend to practice ashtanga in Santa Fe for the time being. I found an instructor, really, that teaches ashtanga and is legit.
Tonight, I am in for the night and hoping to get a solid night of rest. I know that I need it. If not for my own well-being, than, to help aid the healing process. Enjoy!
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