My knee has been healing really well since the surgery over a month ago and as such, I've been hoping to return to yoga sometime soon. But I haven't been confident enough about that decision yet to go into the studio and take a basics class to try it out. I've been sort of afraid of the outcome as I know that my knee is still pretty limited.
Instead of making the decision myself, I decided to ask my old and favorite yoga teacher who sadly moved down to Tucson at the end of last year. Her name is Stephani and she is absolutely amazing not only in her yoga practice but also in the way she teaches. I miss her dearly. I have her as a friend on Facebook, so I sent her the following incredibly wordy message:
Hey Stephani!
I hope you remember me! I live in Flagstaff and am
still so sad you moved to Tucson. My boyfriend's parents live in Tucson
and so maybe the next time we visit, I'll try out the Yoga Oasis. :)
Anyway,
I just had a yoga question for you. I recently had knee surgery (Dec. 9th)
and am starting to get a lot better at walking and getting around. I'm
hoping to return to the studio soon. I just wanted to sort of describe
to you what my knee is like now in hopes that you could tell me if I
could go back and start at Yoga Basics level again.
My knee
isn't swollen anymore but I still can't straighten it on my own. If I'm
sitting down, I can straighten it out on a surface but I can't stand
and use my muscles to straighten it, if that makes sense. I also can't
bend it fully. I can bend it max to about a 30 degree angle. At that
point it stops. I also can't fully put pressure on it yet when I'm on
all fours. So all in all, the poses I'd have difficulty with are
child's pose and cat/cow variations. There are probably others I'm
missing or haven't thought of, but I do know that I'm doing OK with
warriors and down dogs. So, what do you think? Should I wait a few more
weeks or would you say I'm safe to go in? I'm eager to get back into
practice.
Thanks and sorry for the long message! I appreciate any feedback you could give me. :)
Hope you're enjoying Tucson. It has snowed over 3 ft. here.
Love,
Michelle
A few hours later, I received the following response via my blackberry:
Oh yeah, Tucson is lovely! I've been hearing about your weather! Crazy!!! I don't miss shoveling! ;o) good luck & be safe out there!
So um, obviously I was pretty put off by her response as it didn't answer anything I wanted it to. After that, I tried to email the manager and regular teacher of the studio I go to the same question. No response. Needless to say, I felt pretty upset at the people I've put my trust in to guide me through my yoga journey. These were people I looked up to and hoped to establish a relationship with on my path to certification. I was also hoping that since it looks like I will remain to be staying in Arizona for a while longer (more on that later) that one of these women would be my yogic mentor.
Then a few days later I logged into my Facebook (I usually access Facebook through my blackberry) and found that I had two messages in my inbox. I was totally puzzled as I didn't remember receiving a notice on my phone about any other messages.
Hi sweet Michelle!
Of course I remember you! I'm sorry to hear about
your knee troubles, but very happy to hear of your yearning to get back
into your practice. It sounds like you are on the path of healing and
that you are listening to your body. Yoga can help to accelerate this
healing process by bringing your physical and energy body into its
optimal alignment. I support you in attending basics classes on the
condition that you listen to and honor your knee. If at any point there
is sharp, shooting pain, that is not acceptable. Please do not tolerate
it.
Best poses for you right now are ones that are simple and
require strong muscular energy, like level 1 standing poses, thigh
stretches, basic backbends. Your muscles support your knee. As your
knee is recovering it is essential that it feel the support of your
muscles for it to open to healing. You will have to work harder than
you have worked in the past. That needs to be understood. With strong
muscular engagement and skillful alignment you will be able to
straighten your leg and bend your knee deeper with time. Patience and
Devotion to yourself are key.
Also, I would suggest a private
session with Erin specifically focusing on your knee. She has had knee
surgery in the past and healed it! Therefore is a marvelous resource
for you. She'll be able to focus on just you and your specific needs in
a private session and then you could take that work home with you and
to classes.
I wish you all the best in your path to recovery.
Please feel free to contact me anytime!
Love,
Stephani
Then a couple hours later I received a message back from Erin, the studio manager as well. My faith was restored! I'm going to schedule a private session with Erin soon and hopefully that will go well.
Lesson learned: You suck, Blackberry.
