Injury and Yoga = Slow Down

     Three weeks ago I injured my shoulder and rhomboid.  After doing an overhead workout, I woke up the day after and felt the typical DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) that I expected to feel in my back.  But after a few days the "soreness" didn't go away.  Now every time I lifted my arm above my shoulder, I felt an acute pain rip through my rhomboid.  I decided to take it easy for a few days.  When I started to feel more confident in my shoulder movement, I did a full-on workout.  Bad idea! The next day I was in so much pain I couldn't sleep through the night or move my arm at all.  After two weeks of being in pain, I decided to go to the doctor; for those of you who know me, I strongly dislike going to the doctor.  But my doctor found there was a rather large bulge along my spine and prescribed anti-inflammatory medications as well as 6 sessions of physical therapy.  Seriously? It's really that bad? I really just want to tough it out but I know I need to slow down in order for my shoulder to completely heal.  So I've gone to my first two sessions of physical therapy and am somewhat on the mend.  My physical therapist felt a few knots in my back and "diagnosed" my injury as a shoulder impingement.  When you raise your arm to shoulder height, the space between your acromion (a bony protrusion on your scapula) and rotator cuff naturally narrows.  With my impingement, the acromion is rubbing against the tendon and the bursa, causing the irritation and pain.  I'm pretty bummed out about the pain and the fact that I really can't do much with my upper body.  With this injury, I am learning to slow down and try different forms of exercise...

     Last night I participated in my first yoga class at Crunch Fitness in Beaverton.  It was amazing! I felt so relaxed and centered on God.  Practicing yoga helped me slow down my mind and my body.  I want to integrate yoga into my weekly workout routine.  It not only helps relax your muscles, gain flexibility, and build strength, it also helps you center yourself on God or center yourself on your own beliefs.  

      I just recently got hired at Crunch Fitness as a personal trainer and I am so excited to gain clients and empower them to live healthier lives!  I'm learning how important it is to have a personal trainer.  A trainer is a person who can support you in your goals, encourage you to improve yourself not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually if that is what you desire.  It's so awesome to see the progress an individual makes when he/she has a personal trainer compared to individuals who do not have a personal trainer.  I sincerely want to share my passion for overall fitness with those I come in contact with at Crunch Fitness. 

     My injury, taking my first yoga class, and starting a new career has has taught me to slow down and accept change; to be kind to my mind, body, and soul.  Harmony in health is about embracing your overall health which sometimes means taking a step back to rest and other times means taking risks and charging forward to the change God has for you.