I put myself in her able hands, gave over my full weight in hopes of loosening the blocks, shifting the energies. Words like iliotibial (IT) band, trigger points in layers of hamstrings and quadriceps....pains that have traveled up and down and all around.
Yoga practice that cannot be done with full intent, the older, dry tissues, prone to tiny tears....who knew?
I did not.
Our bodies way of telling us to slow down, but I don't want to slow down. They do not share this information, some of these things that happen at a certain age.
We can take things in our own hands....warm stones applied with heavy pressure and broad strokes.
One very nice side effect of this intense body work...a feeling of light-ness, still-ness...of moving through very thick air...BEing slowly, purposefully, a thirst both real and metaphorical.
I will savor this feeling and in this season of new life and growth, stirring of dormant buds, nest building at a frenzied pace.
Happy Passover and Easter and every celebration of spring!
oh yes
the heavy stones - warm as well?
slowing down has become my art
my practice
my secret lover
slow
is my go
and I am learning
that it might even be ok...
beautiful post
happiest spring budding to you
xox - eb.
Posted by: eb | April 10, 2009 at 09:51 AM
Happy Passover and Easter to you, too, Stephanie! I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your family and friends.
You are inspiring me to try yoga again and to try a massage with warm stones. I'm curious, what physical difference do you feel between a traditional, hands-on massage and a massage involving warm stones?
Posted by: susanna | April 10, 2009 at 10:18 AM
ahhh the IT band; I know where that is via my daughter; hers is too tight into the knees and getting them to track incorrectly.
Happy Easter to you as well. Hoping you recover.
Oh and that first hand with the subtle vine growing up it - very nice!
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | April 10, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Yup....my IT band is pretty tight too. That torn meniscus has kept me from doing the yoga I dream of.....even though it's "repaired". Of a certain age, you say? That's me!!! It's also allowing me to head to Paris this afternoon with my husband to celebrate our 30th anniversary.
The happiest of holidays to you as well. Peace, Stephanie.
See you when I return.
xxoo K
Posted by: karen cole | April 10, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Oh yes. A certain age has fallen on me too like a ton of those beautiful stones you hold.
I like the graffiti I spy under your hand!
Happy holiday to you and yours too, Steph!
xo
Posted by: leslie M. | April 10, 2009 at 02:58 PM
This post reminds me of the time I tried to do the hot rock massage on my husband's back and overheated the rocks and oil! I do love natures healing abilities though and it's infinite beauty. Thanks for sharing your own vision of that!
Posted by: amy | April 10, 2009 at 03:57 PM
Happy Easter to you Stephanie. I've never tried yoga or had a massage. I am missing out on a lot. Beautiful words coming from the soul. Take care.
Posted by: gloria | April 10, 2009 at 05:11 PM
Ahhh. When the body starts talking. Sometimes in poetry. Sometimes it nags. We listen. We listen...in time.
I'm nursing a hip after allowing it to open too much in a simple yoga pose.
Tincture of time. It WILL heal.
Happiest of holidays and Holy days to you!
Posted by: Linda@Lime in the Coconut | April 10, 2009 at 06:05 PM
Oh yes, that "certain" age brings it's gifts and it's challenges! There are times when I feel like I've had to slow down to almost a full stop. I hope the "healing" and the "slowing" co-exist in peace with the "allowing" (the other part of the equation)!
Have a wonderful weekend Steph.
Posted by: Kate Iredale | April 11, 2009 at 12:23 AM
I don't want to slow down either! I fight it as well, but I know I need a rest... ah to sit it the sun with a book... soak in the warmth... which changes every minute by the fast-moving spring clouds. I love your warm stone words. Beautiful post... Roxanne
Posted by: rivergardenstudio | April 11, 2009 at 10:39 AM
"Moving through very thick air"--how mesmerizing! Open hands, open heart, open body for healing.
Happy spring!
xo Lara
Posted by: Lara | April 13, 2009 at 06:13 AM
seem's like I've had a few of those "certain age" issues...but we keep on paddlin right?? I love love love the little buddhas...and Happy Spring to everyone, it's REALLY happening here this time!!! (no mo sno!) Love to all!-L.G.
Posted by: Linda Gleitz | April 13, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Beautiful post Steph! Hope YOU have had a nice Passover and happy Easter.
The thing about what you present here reminds me: We must learn to listen to our bodies. One day at age 81 my mom said to herself : "ok, that it!!! Listen your 81 years old girl----time to quite climbing a ladder to wind the clock. So she brought another clock into the room (her soft stone).
Now, the clock is back wound again, but I have learned....my day will come! I want to be willing to listen.
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | April 13, 2009 at 01:50 PM
Who knew that slowing down and listening could set us free?....we heard it over and over, but now we get to integrate the info.
I'll see you for tea soon.
Posted by: LIsa Hoffman | April 14, 2009 at 08:37 AM
I, too, never want to slow down. I know my day will come, but I do not feel ready for it.
I LOVE the hand with the vine. Beautiful!
Hugs!
Michelle
Posted by: Mosaic Queen | April 15, 2009 at 10:30 AM