It’s now been about 3 weeks since I decided to take a break from running due to aggravating my knee while lifting a heavy box during the move. I thought I would give you guys a bit of an update and let you know how things are going. Of course, running on an already sore knee wasn’t going to improve the situation no matter how badly I wanted to keep up with training for my races. I decided to drop out of my planned 10km races (one last Sunday and one this weekend). It just isn’t worth it to me to go against what my body is telling me. In fact, the more I listen to my body, the better I feel.
My knee is feeling a bit better each day, granted much slower than I’d hoped it would. We all know our bodies the best and it’s pretty easy to feel when something still isn’t 100%. I did a short test run a couple weekends ago (with Eric who is actually getting into running believe it or not) and it felt pretty good during the run, but a bit sore for my liking following the run. I’ve been icing, doing strengthening exercises (as suggested by a PT), and lots of yoga. It’s never fun to get excited for races and then realize that you can’t take part, but I’m just trying to stay positive and focus on what I CAN do with my body.
Like yoga and strength training! If you were reading this blog last May, you may recall that I fell in love with hot yoga. It was one of those moments when I asked myself, what the heck took me so long to try it? This came as a huge surprise to me because I previously tried yoga at home with DVDs for a couple years and I could never get into it. Trying to teach myself at home was like nails on a chalkboard most of the time and I felt like I was forcing myself to get through just 15- 20 minutes.
Many of you told me that my entire perception of yoga would change when I practiced in a class setting. Boy were you ever right. After I stepped out of my first class at Moksha last April, my perception of yoga was forever changed. I felt invigorated, calm, and happy and I already couldn’t wait to go back the next day. Everything finally clicked.
This experience made me realize that sometimes the things we resist the most are the things we actually need the most. As someone who struggles with a ton of anxiety and a mind that never sleeps, I naturally resisted yoga because I was scared. Of slowing down, perhaps? Was I worried about being still? As it turns out, it was the best thing I could have done for myself.
"Be open to everything. Your most valuable lessons may well come from the things you’re resisting the most." ~Melody Beattie
At first, I took about a week and a half off of all exercise until my knee told me it could do a bit more. After my time off, I decided to try out many of the wonderful yoga studios in my new town. So far I’ve tried Some Like It Hot and Clarity yoga studios and I plan to try others eventually. The great thing about trying yoga in a new area (or for the first time) is that you can take advantage of all of the cheap intro offers that many yoga studios offer. I can basically do several months of yoga for $1 per class if I take advantage of all the studios intro offers. I’m going to ride the intro train as long as I can! hah. After that, I plan on finding deals on Wagjag and other daily deal sites.
I’ve also challenged myself to step outside of my “yoga comfort zone” as I used to be quite comfortable with Moksha’s style. So far, I’ve tried Power yoga, Vinyasa, Hatha, and even hot Pilates (which was amazing for the core). Other classes I want to try include spinning yoga, a barre class, and maybe (if I can get over my fears) aerial yoga! Still can’t quite wrap my head around that one. Thankfully the yoga and strength training hasn’t been bothering my knee, so it’s a safe way for me to enjoy moving my body and clearing my head.
When things happen in our lives that take us off our planned course (and they will), it’s a great time to stop and think about what other doors have opened. It can take time to figure out, but that’s ok too. Do a bit more of what feels good to you each day, and a bit less of what doesn’t.
Have you ever found yourself with a sudden closed door, only to discover other open doors in the process? Or have you resisted something for a long time and then discovered that it was something you enjoyed?
“…the things we resist the most are the things we actually need the most.”
Wow. This was such a beautifully written, thought-provoking post and it really resonated with me. I totally agree with your words above. I think sometimes it’s not just that we resist certain things/people/experiences because we might actually be scared or enjoy them, but also because they may be painful…but like, the type of pain we need to grow and persevere through them. In regards to yoga, I often have to force myself to go, even though I LOVE it and I always feel so great after. Getting there can be hard and knowing that when I’m there, I have to kind of…just, breathe and focus on the breathing/postures, and not think about life, is daunting. Wishing you lots of yoga in your future…!
Thanks for sharing Laura, beautiful story!
I’m pretty sure we live parallel lives…i also recently broke up with running due to knee and hip problems. It’s been 3 weeks now and i’ve been surviving via yoga…loving bikram, and hot vinyasa…they both really seem to help me tune into my body and balance…not to mention abs like whoa! i have also been experimenting with fun “granny” runs as I call them…carioca, running backwards, side shuffles…reallly anything goes until i can get to the beach for some lower impact running. I have to thank you too, because I have been using the circuit workout you posted last year 2-3 times/week and just love it! (espeially because I can do it while watching the today show :) ). I would recommend trying rollerblading too! super fun!
thanks again and best of luck with your knee! :)
Thank you Kristen! I’m happy that you are finding happiness with so many other exercises. It’s funny you mentioned rollerblading- Eric and I were just saying how we can’t wait to rollerblade around here once the weather is warmer.
What a great reminder post. I’ve been pretty down lately due to illness and an upcoming surgery that has gotten in the way of my running and other exercise. I have been meaning to delve into yoga while I recover from surgery, so this is a good reminder.
I actually love yoga but for some reason am scared of trying hot yoga. I already sweat enough as it is (I inherited the unfortunate gene from my dad) so I’m worried that hot yoga might be overkill!
I’m such a fan of Moksha Yoga! I live in Cincinnati, OH! How random that that’s where one of the Moksha studio’s is!
Hi Angie – I can totally relate. I used to LOVE zumba and aerobics, but after I got plantar fasciitis (heel spur), I was out of commission. I still tried to power through the pain, but when it started getting worse, I had to listen to my body & eliminate those exercises. Because of this, I rediscovered my love for biking, yoga & swimming.
I’m glad you’re doing better & hope you’ll be running those marathons in no time!! :)
This is a really motivational post because I share your (once) fear of yoga. It truly is fear and whilst I can see the benefits, and even encourage others to try it!, I find it really hard to let myself go with it. I do need to keep trying, and perhaps a class is the way to go. At home doesn’t get me anywhere, that is for sure!
Yoga is such an amazing gift, isn’t it? I just completed my 200-hr Hatha yoga teacher training, and I am even more convinced of yoga’s positive health benefits. I’m happy to hear that you’ve found yoga, or yoga has found you, as a method of healing :)
Very insightful post…thanks! I am the same way..a mind that runs non stop filled with endless ideas and I was also a bit nervous when I started yoga..like I wasn’t doing enough. Now I am happy happy happy when I can go to a Vinyasa yoga class..I still get to move yet practice stillness in some poses and really breathe…the breath has become so much greater to me since starting yoga! Happy Wednesday!
I sometimes do yoga on my own, but like you, I’ve never really been able to get into it! I’ve been wanting to try going to some classes though – I actually have a 30 day pass for Kula in Burlington that I’ve been meaning to use. I hope it changes my mind about yoga!
I totally feel your pain (no pun intended!) on taking a break from running. I’ve been struggling with a shin issue for a while and have had to take weeks off at a time, but you are 100% percent right in that listening to your body is more important. On the bright side, I’m glad it’s allowed you to pursue other activities! I started taking barre classes in the fall and am completely hooked – I have never found another workout that has increased my strength so quickly. If you have one in your area I hope you check it out. Just be careful, you might become a barre addict. ;) Hope you rknee gets better soon!
I am a firm believer that life is full of opportunities and if something didnt happen we have to look around get out of our comfort zone try something new and keep going!
I could not believe what a vacation from my mind hot yoga turned out to be! It seemed so scary at first, but ended up blowing my mind. Here’s at link to the post I wrote on just how good it can be for over-thinkers like you and me: http://howtobeherenow.tumblr.com/post/18530055860/how-to-bikram-here-now
Enjoy!
There are so many amazing life transformational stories out there about yoga, I was happy to read yours and hope that it continues to help you on your road of recovery!
Two years ago on maternity leave, a Moksha studio opened really close to my house. They were offering free yoga classes for the first week. So I went home and decided that I would go. Being overweight and always having hated those stiffling hot days fo summer, the thought did cross my mind more that once that I was crazy to go. But after finding some clothes that didn’t make me feel too self concious, off I went. I thought I was going to die that first class, the heat, the strain of the exercise, everything felt too much. But, it was FREE YOGA, so off I went the next day to try again. I remember after that, my first goal was to make it all the way through a class without stopping. Two years later I can’t imagine my life without Moksha yoga. I crave the heat, the physical asanas, the calm and being in the moment, the breathe, not having to think for an hour, just moving. Moksha has led my on a journey to being helathier than I think I have ever been. I am 40 pounds lighter, physically and emotionally stronger. I drastically changed my eating habits and now am happily vegan (thanks Angela for all the great recipes, you have been a life saver more than once).
For anyone who thinks they can’t do it, they don’t look like they think they should or can’t bend like they think a yogi should, you can! We all come in different shapes and sizes, even yogis. But we all share so many things when we enter into a yoga studio, we are all human, we are all coming together to celebrate our bodies, to breathe together, to PRACTICE together. There is something different about doing yoga in a group, give it a try, don’t think about it, just do it! And try the heat, you can’t go back :-)
Beautiful comment Steph! Thank you for sharing :) I couldn’t have said it better myself. I truly can’t imagine not having it in my life.
Hope your knee recovers soon! It’s super challenging to not be able to run! I am so glad you finally decided to take the yoga plunge. Running and Yoga are natural partners and doing yoga should speed your recovery! Last time I had a knee injury before a race that my chiropractor couldn’t manipulate he suggested I try his cold laser therapy. I guess Lance Armstrong’s chiropractic team uses the same cold laser therapy for his injuries. I went in for a couple treatments and ran my scheduled race pain free. I think it really works ;)
Hi Angela, I’m sure i’m like a lot of your readers in saying that injury has plagued me too.
I have bad back and hip problems for 5 months, and the process of healing is long and tedious, I am avid runner and my training was thrown off course. Trying to prevent yourself from doing what you love is hard, but when the pain goes each day you remember that you will eventually be able to run pain-free you just need to be patient.
http://www.poweryogacanada.com/
I am not sure if you live near these studios, but Kinndli is an amazing teacher! I do her podcasts and wish I could practice with her in person. It is the Baptiste Power Vinyasa yoga which is a great style or yoga…inspiring for self growth as well as for building strength and rinsing out!
Thank you, I have heard that! I plan on trying the studio out for sure :)
I felt the same way when I stepped into my first private pilates lesson. What a huge difference having someone talk you through things, and make sure you have the right form. It made a huge difference in recovering from an injury last year too. Hope you continue to heal!
Angela,
I know people who have really hurt themselves doing arial yoga. Be aware. I love doing Vinyasa, Restorative, and of course the eliptical.
I am a yoga teacher, and I didn’t discover yoga until I was 45 years old. I had been a runner, running marathons and I pulled my hamstring. My doctor told me to try yoga during the healing stage and to stop running. I started taking yoga classes and I LOVED it so much that I haven’t returned to running, and now I’m a yoga teacher. I believe the hardest thing about yoga is trying your first class.
Great story Helene! It’s amazing what twist and turns life throws our way.