I started doing Iyengar Yoga nearly 3 years ago. I’ve had two back surgeries — lamenectomy L4/5 & then 15 years later lamenectomy L3/4 & L4/5 with permanent nerve damage to my left foot. I cannot flex my left foot and do not have much sensation on the inside of the foot or big toe. I had back pain daily.
When I first started I was a little soar but a good soar. I’m very athletic so I had already been working out consistently. Now, 3 years later I have no back pain most days and my balance and flexibility has dramatically improved. I can now walk in boots or light weight shoes without wearing my ankle-foot orthotic. When I started I had trouble just standing on my left leg lifting my right foot off the floor. I can now do tree pose on my left. There is so much more to tell — I have also healed from my trauma; I am more calm and connected to others and more – but I’d have to write a book to tell that story. In a nutshell, yoga has changed my life!
Find a teacher you connect with and understands how to adapt poses. Use lot’s of props, go slow — there’s no need to do a full pose. BREATHE!!
CHP
