Cool article on yoga and physical disabilities

[rydra_wong]

The Guardian has a short but fascinating article from Tim Rushby-Smith (who has paraplegia) on taking a yoga workshop with Matthew Sanford, who does too.

By the end of the 90-minute class I am sitting unsupported on the floor with my arms above my head and my legs outstretched. This is extremely difficult when paralysed from the waist down. I have no fixed "base" as I cannot gain stability from my buttocks or thighs, but somehow I am spreading myself out to my heels as much as the tips of my fingers. Instead of trying to balance on nothing, I feel like I am grounded on something firm and tangible.

For anyone who's interested, I wrote a review of Sanford's memoir, Waking, a while back.

Comments

[sashajwolf]

Wow. That looks like an amazing workshop, and an amazing book that seems like it would fit really well with some mindfulness stuff I've been exploring, as well as possibly giving me some new approaches to managing my back/hip condition. I need to weigh up whether that's worth the risk of getting my ED stuff triggered, but yeah, I'm tending to think it probably is, and I don't say that very often. Thank you.