You want my hands to go where?

I've likely mentioned this before, but I am shocked at the lack of flexibility in most of the kids I work with.  The kids that take gymnastics or hip hop seem to be somewhat more flexible, but the bulk of these kids can't touch their toes!

I was a chubby kid.  I wasn't really active (I'd much rather spend my afternoon with a book or a drawing pad than playing a sport or something like that).  I wanted to do gymnastics, I remember being really discouraged when the instructor told me I was too tall.  My mom tried to force me into softball in junior high. That didn't last long (I think I made it through 2 or 3 practices). I wanted to take ballet, but we didn't have the money.

But even with all of those things going against my athletic prowess, I was flexible.

I don't remember ever having a time I couldn't touch my toes. I don't ever remember saying it hurt trying to reach those toes.

I sure as heck never said "I think I threw my back out".

Starting back at spring break, I've been trying to do yoga with the kids at least a couple of times a week.  When we were doing it regularly (2-3 times a week), I saw a marked difference in their ability to practice.  Not necessarily the physical side of it (still not a lot of toe touching going on), but in the mental side of things.

The first few sessions were disasters; everyone touching each other, rolling around on the floor, interrupting me, laughing at the poses.

After the first week, the kids started settling into the routine. They even started asking for yoga.  I'm not doing anything wild and crazy with them. Just some simple sun salutations and breathing (they love dragon breath and trying to do ujjayi breathing).

Trying to get this practice in with the kids is two fold for me.

First, it is a great opportunity to teach the kids to be present and mindful.

Secondly, it is allowing me to ease back into a practice. I had to give up yoga in 2010 when my shoulder problems became so bad it hurt to move my arm. I have been told I will never be able to do yoga again.

In the before time, my plan was to be a yoga instructor and freelance artist/designer with a small organic farm.

There was a time this was NOT a problem for me.

It's been 3 years. I'm managing my inflammation issues through diet, orthopaedic massage and acupuncture.  I am now able to complete several sun salutations. I take it slow and easy. I know I have to respect the limits of my shoulder.

Even 3 years out of practice though, I can still touch my toes. And the kids seemed shocked to see that. There was a lot of "look! she's touching the floor!"

Hopefully I can help the kids reach the floor. And beyond.

Yoga has been such a vital part of my life after stumbling upon a class at my gym when I was 20. It crushed me to give it up, but even that was a teaching tool. I learned about being gentle with my self. I learned to respect my body and what it is saying. Between taking time out of my life to care for my brother (the best choice I could have made - also in 2010) and my injury, I learned to slow down. Other than a paycheck, there is no reward for endless hours at work being miserable. Were it not for my injury, I don't think I would have reached that place. I would likely still be working (out) like a mad woman and pushing my self to go, go, go.

As counter-intuitive as it seems, try slowing down. Skip your P90X or Insanity for a while. Go for a long walk. Connect with nature and your self.  Take a break from the punishment of chronic cardio.  And listen to what your body is telling you.