July 4th, 2007 started out innocently enough. We were in east Texas at our neighbor's lake house looking forward to a day on the water. The boys in my family were also excited about trying the four-wheeler on all the cool nature trails. For a sweet moment, all of us were on the deck looking over the tranquil, smooth lake. My husband, Scott, disappeared for a moment. I thought he was handling things in the kitchen, helping out as he always does. We were all blissfully unaware of all things except how perfect the lake looked when we heard the ungodly squeal of brakes and the sound of an impact. As we ran down to the road, someone yelled, "call 9-11!" A car had hit someone. I saw a figure lying there next to a crumpled up ATV. I also saw my son, and his friend were safe on the shoulder. I breathed a momentary sigh of relief, but as I approached the figure in the road, the figure looked more and more like my husband, Scott. There he was, left leg terribly damaged, but he was amazingly alert, conscience and calm. He handed me the insurance cards, car keys, and a smile. I climbed into the ambulance and we were off to a life changing experience for us all. In the end, the vascular damage took its toll. With all kinds of major surgeries awaiting him if he choose to keep his limb, Scott very bravely asked that they amputate his left leg from the knee down. The kids, Scott and I had a memorial service for that leg that had given him so much pleasure. (That leg that taught him how to walk, later run, skateboard, and ski had to go.) We all said goodbye to the leg that wasn't serving him anymore and came together tightly as a family, tighter than we had ever been before.
I looked after everyone. I volunteered in just about every way I could at my kids' schools, I drove Scott to countless doctor appointments. I took care of everyone except myself. After Christmas, my best friend, Kim Judd, told me that she and her hubby Jeff were practicing Bikram Yoga, just down the street from us. I had tried classes there after they opened in 2002, but wasn't inspired to keep it up at that time. I remember going into camel for the first time thinking, "What the heck am I doing here?" Kim encouraged me to join her for a class in January 2008. I had that feeling again, but it was fun going with a buddy. Something kept bringing me back and I was hooked. I bought a 10-class card and quickly used it up. It felt good to have 90 minutes of time just for me. Those days were golden. Scott realized how happy I was and upgraded us to a family plan. His aspirations were climbing and so were mine.
In April 2008, I embarked on the 60-day challenge. It was hard. I was tired. I had a hard time holding up my legs in part 1 of standing head to knee, I was constantly falling out of bow pulling pose (and still do but I'm getting better!) I absolutely hated triangle pose and pretty much avoided it all together, but I was encouraged by Scott's desire to move forward in his life and so I moved forward by going inside mine. Every day that followed, I got into what I call my "zone" during Pranayama breathing and stayed there. For once, I let go of all the expectations I felt my family had on me, and redirected all that energy into my practice. The stubbornness I've had all my life finally paid off in spades as it helped me to become determined to "get" the yoga. In about six weeks, I noticed my body was changing and that was exciting.
I've recently started my second 60-day challenge and am looking at some new stuff that's come my way. Some days I am very challenged by my teachers and strive for breakthroughs. Other days, I realize I need to take it day by day. (Three cheers to T.C. for smoothing out my kinks!) I love that this is my 90 minutes, my mat, my yoga and the way it's making me strong and keeping me young.
Today I am 32 pounds lighter; I've lost two dress sizes, and over 14 inches all around. At my last appointment, my doctor was excited to say it was wonderful to see less of me this year. His staff was amazed I no longer have to take Flonase and Allegra for my allergies. Thanks to compression poses, I'm a human neti pot!
Thanks Stacey, Suzann, LaDonna, Sherri, Jorina, Sami, Carrie and Jay! Even though the 26 poses never change, you all bring something different to class and I appreciate all the encouragement and feedback you've given me. I love you, Scott, for supporting me and practicing with me when you can. This studio is an amazing place filled with inspiring people. We are all truly blessed to be a part of it. Thank you for honoring me as student of the month for September 2008.
Balance, focus, breathe!
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