Never back down

Never back down, that's my motto! I'm not sharing this to boast, but in the hope that my journey might inspire someone else's practice. I find myself in Rishikesh, learning Aerial yoga, a discipline that brings decompression to the spine and strength to the arms. And yet, my journey here is not without its trials. I carry with me the battle scars of childhood recklessness, and the stiffness and injuries that only became apparent years later. Notably, grade 3 & 4 meniscus tears in both knees. Thankfully, the verdict from the orthopedic was no surgery needed, an option I would have refused anyway.

Stuti, my pillar of support, has been guiding me, her knowledge and experience as a physical therapist a beacon in this journey. Our focus has been on strengthening my quadriceps, hamstrings, inner thighs, and calf muscles with weights. However, it seems the stretching from my aerial practice might have caused a temporary setback, a knee lock while attempting to sit cross-legged, bringing with it a night of pain. But we did not back down. With ice packs and knee taping, we managed the situation.

The setback, however, is not the end of the story. My course still has a week to go. Watching my peers flipping and posing, I couldn't resist but get back on the hammock. It's in my nature, my Rajasic personality, always high on energy. And when I'm not, I've cultivated ways to bring my spirit back to the mat. Everyone should have something that motivates them to be physically active. Our bodies are degenerating day by day, and movement, strength training is the key to healthy aging.

Group classes are my haven. I don't compete. Instead, I soak in the collective energy, lifting myself up. Those 60 to 90 minutes, I am untouchable, untouched by the world outside. And when the practice ends, it leaves me with a heightened awareness of the world around me. I love my practice, and there is no room for 'what if' fears about further injury. I know I need to do this, for if I don't, the alternative is a life filled with illnesses and guilt.

The magic of today's practice is unexplainable. I felt no pain, and my knees did not give me any trouble. In just 7 days, I was able to do the advanced flows, leaving me on cloud nine. Life is truly beautiful!

To all practitioners out there, more power to you all. Keep going, keep growing, and never back down.