Cyberry

HI Gabrielle,

thanks for your reply. At first when I read it, I did not really think that dropping the chin was my problem since I do pay attention to keeping my chin lifted at all times (it has after all been drilled into me from a very tender age :-). So, whilst I’m not convinced it’s the issue, I did notice this weekend that I don’t really lift my chin as such, but I don’t drop it either.

Also bending my arms just a bit does not feel right… They have to be straight – bending would make me feel ‘collapsed’ – from the top down. I draw strength from my arms being straight and aligned. I’m almost certain that bending them would also affect my balance.

So I don’t know, perhaps I need time to experiment a little with your suggestions. Perhaps your advice to shift the focus from effort is the place to start for me. Will see where it takes me.

Thank you.

Update;

Went to physio today. Said physio asked why I would uberhaupt WANT to do a backbend… He massaged my muscles a bit and fiddled around with the vertebrae – I heard a few tiny clicks, nothing major. No real or lasting relief. First he suggested my back muscles were not strong enough to support the strain placed on my spine while going into backbend. Then we did some tests on a machine – machines are always reliable, right? Turns out – according to machine – my back muscles are quite strong, in fact much stronger in comparison to my stomach muscles. So he advised me to come to his gym 2x pw for three weeks to work on exercises to strengthen tummy muscles.

Went to yoga too and related the visit to the physio. One of the instructors – national champion 2009 and as flexible as a noodle! – told me about her trials and tribulations which was somewhat encouraging since I assumed she was one of those very lucky few who was just ‘naturally’ incredibly flexible. I took it relatively easy today so class was fine. The pain isn’t really.

Quite a bit to think about thus.

You’re most welcome!

Hi Gabrielle,

thank you for your balanced perspective, much appreciated. I’m not being guided by a professional but have read up quite a bit on juice fasting. You are of course right – I should listen to my body and act accordingly and I will. But I would like to ‘set myself up’ as best as possible to continue my practice since I’m also giving up smoking whilst on the juice fast!

This is therefore no ‘ordinary’ juice fast… and I have found in the past that exercise is very important to me in the throes of nicotine withdrawal. I’m combining the two in an attempt to rid my body of all the toxins that have built up over the years, counter the digestive problems that have befuddled previous attempts and start afresh, so to speak.

Regards
Cyberry

Hello,

Back from my holidays, so I thought I would quickly post an update on my experience with kicking the caffeine. It was hard and I suffered for a few days but I must say, even though I did not drink that much coffee and I thought it would not make a noticeable difference, it did. Not earth-shattering, but still. I am sleeping better and it’s actually wonderful to no longer have to contend with that ‘caffeine-high’ one sometimes gets when drinking two (strong) cups after another. I did tend to rely on it to get me going in the morning but I did not particularly like it. As for it’s impact on my flexibility – who can say whether it’s had an effect? My flexibility has improved slightly, but I think this is largely due to the (imposed) 9-day break (and resting my sore hamstrings) from Bikram yoga over the Christmas period than giving up coffee/caffeine. All in all I would recommend it since I feel more grounded and than before which is good enough for me!

I have two more diet and health challenges lying ahead but that will be addressed in a separate post…

Hi Gabrielle,

Thank you for your response and encouraging words. I’m sure you can imagine it is not pleasant having struggled with this injury for so long and having to sit out of certain postures.

Regarding your question about the grip: my foot is indeed supported by my palms and interlocked fingers and you’re correct to assume that it is the straight line that is at stake here.

Is that sufficient information? I can easily send you a photograph if you like 🙂

Many thanks in advance!
F

Hi Gabrielle,
Thanks for the reference – I have already read the posts with great interest. In brief: The area affected is deep, just below my right buttock. I have been having a hard time finding a good therapist, but 2 months ago I finally located someone who inspires confidence. I was given exercises to address it and was delighted to find that it made a huge difference. I have to confess though that I have been a a little slack lately due to illness and inability to go to the gym (where his practice is), which is why I’m more or less back to square one right now. But I’ve recently taken it up again.

I asked about the yoga and he (and others) said I could continue my practice. However, my motto is if it hurts too much, slow down or don’t do it. So the way in which I have been, and still am, dealing with it is by sitting out of a number or parts of some poses. But never standing bow or standing head to knee. Not that these two are hurting but I do feel it. Regarding standing head to knee: somehow it’s never been painful enough for me to not kick out or lower elbows. I am vaguely aware of the pain though, which makes me a little ‘afraid’ and possibly throws me off balance when I start rounding to touch my forehead to knee. I don’t know…

As for the grip: I should rather say I adjusted my grip and I do this already in the first phase of the posture. Thus, not only after kicking out. I adjusted my grip after having been told to do so whilst in the sitting head to knee position – and somehow made the connection that if the grip was not correct, perhaps that explained the bent wrists (I might be completely wrong, but at least my grip is better positioned than before). Thumbs are very much under the foot but whilst they interlock while kicking out and holding it, when I bend my elbows down, they do move a little and don’t stay interlocked. They do remain under the foot just below the toes.

Look forward to your response – I hope I’m making sense…

Hi Gabrielle,

Not sure I’m following you.

Hands are in prayer position from the start. Due to long arms my hands, in prayer, naturally land about 15-20cm from the tip of toes. I have personally been instructed to touch my toes which drew my attention to the fact that there are some other people( the ‘professionals’!) in class who are actually able to do this! And it’s not like they have exceptionally short arms 🙂 So I assumed this is the next level to work towards.

Tension in neck and shoulders? I don’t follow, sorry for being slow.

Hi Gabrielle,

Thank you for your prompt reply.

When I started yoga, I had not done regular exercise for erm, about ten years. Nevertheless, I was reasonably flexible but in certain postures very “tight and stiff”. After noticing a significant improvement in flexibility during the summer I have now hit a plateau which made me wonder whether it’s not time I took a good look at my diet. But info on diet and yoga is limited.

As alluded to in my second post, I came across the website of Lucas Rockwood (from yogabodynaturals) in which he claims coffee, alcohol, spicy and diary should be avoided. As you will be aware, he recommends cutting out all of these and praises the beneficial qualities of green juice and the supplements he sells.

Whilst my diet has always been generally very healthy – I have my “weaknesses” – coffee in moderation being at the top of the list!

I just wondered how much substance there is to his claims and whether anyone has any specific experiences to share.