I'm so excited. I've been on the waiting list for this extrordinary class taught by Matthew Sanford, a T4 paraplegic and talented yoga practitioner and yoga teacher of over 20 years, for 2 very long years now (how lucky am I that he lives in the same metro area as me?). Anyways, it seems as though finally the local cries of my fellow yoga-desiring, disabled brethern have been heard. Last night was a 2 hour info session given by Matt at the Courage Center.
Matt and his team of awesome yoga volunteers/teachers are going to be starting a new 6 week "Intro to Yoga" class this fall. And I will be able to be in this one! (fingers crossed). Last night was truly a transformative evening. The ideas that Matt teaches about the "broken" body, how it's everyone's birthright to still be able to get out of your wheelchair onto a mat, stretch, to move your limbs into poses you usually NEVER do (and in the process positively benefiting your energy), and basically to feel whole once again, are ideas that really hit home, and made sense more than anything I'v heard in re: to "disability" in years.
Matt pointed me out to the class. He asked me in front of everyone to "ground my butt bones." "Do you feel like you're butt is balanced evenly on your seat?" he asked me. Nervously laughing I answered, "Ummm...I'm really not the one to ask that question" I told him. "I can't feel it." Then he explained to everyone how he purposely asked/egged me on to get that answer. His point? I can still feel my butt bones if I really listen to my body. And with enough practice through yoga and connecting my mind to my body once more, he says over time I'll be more aware of my paralyzed limbs. I won't gain the neurological sensation I once had, but I can still sense those areas. It's an energy thing, and it's real. It's not some hippy-dippy things, he stresses.
I believe him.
After 15 years of sitting (or laying) all the time, I feel annoyingly confined and stationary. My brain is going nuts. I really hope these yoga classes, getting out of my chair and onto the mat, stretching, rolling around, breathing deeply, going barefoot (!!), wearing cute yoga outfits, ALL of it, will help me feel less confined, more alive, and healthier. Even after one class, this morning, I can already feel a difference,
Matt has written a book called "Waking" that I just started, and highly recommend to everyone. And check-out his yoga studio, www.mindbodysolutions.org, as well. Matt's story is phenomenal. At 13, he was in a car accident where both his dad and 20 year old sister died. He is now on a crusade to spread the notion and healing nature of adapted yoga across the world, and to teach medical professionals to not teach disabled people to ignore/not appreciate the parts of their body they can't move/use anymore. They're still part of you and should be honored.
