Volkswoman

Hi Gabrielle, It’s weeks later and I’m still struggling with painful elbow tendonitis. To avoid intense pain, I bend my raised right arm like a chicken wing during yoga practice. I’ve had to ease off the floor asana with arms under the body and leg lifts, and also go easy in the bow poses. Today on the recommendation of a friend, I went to see a therapist who claims to relieve pain quickly with somatics. He gave me a free demo working against resistance on the shoulder and elbow for 15 minutes and relieved the pain by about half, so I’ve made two appointments for one-hour sessions, which he says should completely relieve the pain and re-align my right side. Also he’ll teach me some exercises to keep it from re-occuring. I’ll keep you posted. My husband and I are taking two weeks off next week for a Caribbean holiday and cruise. The warm sun and rest will be great. I’d like to see how I can do some yoga on the trip. Oh, the Master Class book arrived and I read a different pose every time before class (2-3 times a week) and put what I’ve learned into practice. There are so many important tips and explanations that are making quite a difference! It’s a wonderful investment – thanks very much,
Megan

Hi Gabrielle, Thanks for asking these questions. I work at a desk and computer off and on during the day, and have for many years, although recently I do less computer work (about 4 hours). I am right-handed. About four months ago I started playing guitar and I practice about half an hour a day. I noticed some stiffness and slight pain in my right hand and elbow from this activity, but it didn’t affect much else. My husband tells me to not drink Pelligrino – a bottled mineral water, which I started drinking a lot of since doing hot yoga and needing to hydrate more. I used to have arthritis, but drinking diluted raw apple cider vinegar in water for a few months seemed to clear it up so well that I stopped taking it regularly. I was quite sendentary for the past two years after straining my achilles tendon several times and then tearing a muscle in my heel when I tried to exercise at a gym. Hot yoga is amazing because I’ve become as stretched out as I was at 16 when I was a ballet dancer and haven’t injured my leg muscles, torso, etc. (except possibly the right arm?). Thanks again – I appreciate your questions and answer very much.
Megan