On Thursday 29th Jan 2009, I was bicycle racing at a velodrome, when my bicycle suffered a mechanical problem at about 50kph (30 mph), resulting in me going down on the right side, suffering a left punchered lung, which deflated and broken ribs.
What I don’t want to do is rush back into things, before my body is ready.
In regards to yoga, I need to know how to judge when my rib cage will be suitable, so I’m interested in learning how to tell when the body is suitable for recommencing yoga.
Mike – I have no answer, just wanted to say how happy I am you are well enough to participate in the forum after that.
(I assume there’s a surgeon or someone on the periphery of your life now.)
Wow, dude. Praying for you.
Hello Mike,
Some days what life throws in the path is none too funny. It is then that our yoga is truly tested. The fortitude of a man is determined in the gale force winds of the storm, not the comfort of his living room yoga space.
When I respond to these sorts of posts I try to both directly answer the question and respond to the more subtle question(s) between the lines.
Yoga you can begin immediately. Asana is another story. The student must have an incredibly mindful practice when recovering. The nervous system supports healing when it is parasympathetic. Therefore anything jarring, alerting, requiring defense, aggressive, violent, or threatening would be counter productive to the healing process.
Two days ago I observed a woman hobble into the local co-op with a cast on her leg. She bounced up to the deli counter and ordered a cappuccino. My inner light bulb lit up. “why would someone who’s recently broken a bone, is now making healing demands of the immune system to repair that bone, why would such a person be drinking coffee?” But I suppose it happens every day, all day.
I bring this up to point out that the practice (asana and pranayama) the lifestyle (running around like a banshee), and the nutrition (hydration, oxygenation, and alkalinity) all need to fall inline when your body has been traumatized. So I’m hoping you are making said alterations to maximize your recovery. There are specific things to be eating (and avoiding) Please ask your teacher for these things.
Absolutely get clearance from your health care provider before returning to any activity and then wait an additional two weeks after that. Once you return, please do so under the watchful eye of a therapeutically trained, senior yoga teacher in an alignment-based practice. You do want to begin the process of rediscovering your respiratory functions but not do so in a way that is harmful.
For now I’d begin very gentle breath awareness in the supine pranayama position IF that position is okayed by your primary health care provider. Ask your teacher about breath awareness exercises which are the precursors to pranayama. This will cultivate a greater awareness of your ribs, intercostals, lungs, et al AND provide you a parasympathetic nervous system response so that your bod may do its best to mend.
Thanks for the feedback.
While I am no where near fit enough to do yoga at the moment, I conducted an indoor cycling session (didn’t do it myself) I took them thru a few basic stretches afterwards, aimed at the legs and did them myself and while I didn’t push it, I could do them.
Woo, hoo! That’s worth celebrating.
How does it feel now?
I was surprised that I was capable of doing the stretches, still I don’t want to rush it.
I’d give it at least 2 or 3 weeks, going by your description.Although your situation is quite different i know from personal experience rushing into anything especially asana practice ,and when you’re feeeling well, is a bad idea.
It’s surprising you can post at all.
I just remebered there; I did fracture my elbow- head of the ulna ( skateboard-concrete bowl- actually i missed my asana practice that morning so i got cocky )when i began asana and i did wait possibly 3 months, becuase say bearing load on that joint in DD was not possible.The joint would’nt really move as it was that swollen for a couple of weeks. yeah i obviously missed asnana but was a good lesson in patience.
I can only imagine how much suffering an injury of that kind entails.
Breathing excercises lying down sound like something you could start with, if & once your breathing has returned to normal.
Obviously feedback from a doctor is also sensible
the best prescription is probably patience, and breathing naturally, normally.
hope you’re feeling better.
Well I did my first yoga class yesterday. Took it really easy and there were a few things I couldn’t do at all, but I got thru it.
I am glad to hear you are feeling better Mike and that you’re back to the classes that you enjoy so much!
All the best in the rest of your recovery,
Nichole
Wahoo! And bravo for recognizing the things that weren’t smart for you to do.
Thanks for the support.
LOL, I went to a more advanced class and I can’t do some of the easy things, but I do shoulder stands and head stands.
You are fit enough to do yoga anytime. It is a matter of taking baby steps.
When somebody is a beginner in tennis (or whatever sport), is the person playing tennis? Nobody in their right mind would say that this person is not playing tennis.