I thought this was appropriate considering recent events with the
hurricane blowing through NYC. It has been a reminder for many of what
happened years ago when the twin towers fell. Whenever these things
occur, we realize our humble vulnerability. Yet, this one man, seemed
to conquer the superficial power and greatness of a structure many
thought would never fall, just as many thought the Titanic would never
sink. He conquered man's fears and limitations. He seemed almost
immortal. One has to overlook that he broke the law, because he it
appeared that he was somehow above the law. One has to overlook that he
must have been a lunatic, because he was genius, daring, and childlike.
His motives were simple. He simply could not resist. There was no
intention to hurt anyone, and I don't think it would have mattered much
to him if the crowd below had never noticed him. I imagine the freedom
he must have felt.
Recently, I suffered a back injury.
It was painful, and long-lasting enough that I began to wonder if it
would be permanent. It started with trying to carry a heavy load--(a.k.a. my son Liam,)
as I was running down a mountain trail with him on my back. I felt the
pain, but didn't stop. Now I still feel bad that I can't pick him up
and swing him around like I used to--but he is getting to be a very big
boy.
When the pain was at it's worst, I thought things like, "I'll still be able to sing, write, play guitar, and all will be well. I don't have to be a yoga teacher. It's o.k." However, I have yoga to thank for
helping me to mend. I have chiropractors, massage therapists, healing
herbals, ice packs, heat packs, and a wonderful husband to thank also. I
really admire people who do receive a permanent injury, and find ways to move forward despite their painful circumstance.
Who
I really have to thank is my brother-in-law, Steve, who bought me, and
Heather, (my sister, his wife,) a month long pass to attend Aerial Silks
classes. We activated our pass right after my injury occurred. I was
sure that I would be healed in time before I started the actual
classes. My first class was exciting! But painful. My second class I
felt some improvement, mostly because I was wise enough to tell my
instructor about my injury. Each time I went to these classes, I would
feel a little afraid I might hurt myself more, but each time, I felt
better after the class was over. Aerial Silks requires a lot of
strength, and a lot of flexibility. I have the flexible part down, and I
thought I was pretty strong, but this has made me realize the reason I
probably injured my back in the first place, was because my core was not
as strong as it should be. The very exercises we are doing to
strengthen the core, and increase flexibility in the hips are the very
things my back needs to heal. I have become more conscious of my
posture. "Lifting through the navel, and lengthening the low back as we stand gives us a feeling of lightness."
This is what I always tell me yoga students. Maybe I've forgotten to
apply it. I imagine how light Philippe Petit must feel even on the
ground.
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