I broke holy hell out of my heelbone at the end of July; a piece of it was poking out of the back of my foot. This is probably old news to many.
The hospital experience was rather overwhelming. I did in fact practice Ashtanga Vinyasa in my hospital bed during the interminable waiting periods, or as I was wheeled to and from various tests, and then the operating theater, and as I lie in wait to go under.
Inhale --- tense fingers and toes; exhale --- relax.
It helped, a little, with the anxiety and the fear.
After 9 weeks of no walking, I received a walking cast last Wednesday, and of course now my foot hurts like holy hell as I relearn to walk.
During this time I chose to let go of the traditional Ashtanga postural sequences in favor of the seated practices, breathing and otherwise.
This injury really swept the pieces off the chessboard, so it's been a real gift. Can't play chess? Time to play something else. I'm grateful I'm able to just sit and take practice.
And I am so grateful for the intricate and delicate webs of attachment that bind me to my family, my friends, and my community, here in Portland and abroad.
There're some lines out of the Rig Veda --- if I'm misquoting, I hope a reader can correct me --- that suggest that only one-fourth of the universe is manifest here, while the remaining three-quarters remains abstract. Meaning the wellspring or font of creativity is always more, always greater, always plus one.
I'm continuously surprised at the ingenuity and humor and creative expression of people everywhere. Never more so than after watching this video. I wish I had seen it just out of surgery. It might have changed my perspective on asana practice. It's very inspiring, and is a testament to dedication and determination.
Oh, and we'll be heading to the Confluence in early March, with our daughter and our newborn son in tow. If you read this and are going, I can't wait to say hello. Even if we've never met.
