Mantra: Just be you.
“Let yourself be drawn by the stronger pull of that which you truly love.”
Rumi
After my car accident, I had no idea how to live with a spinal cord injury. I felt like my life was split in two: my body before and after the accident. Navigating my injury pushed me deeper into depression. The year and a half of intense physical therapy allowed me to walk with foot orthotics, but my relationship with my body was never the same.
Through much self-study and exploration, I discovered new passions and rediscovered some forgotten ones. First, I reconnected with my love of writing and developed an intense journaling practice. Then, I fell in love with journalism and teaching and pursued a bachelor’s in journalism and master’s degree in English. There were many fits and starts during this period. My truth was revealed when I discovered mindful practice and adaptive and accessible yoga. Developing a practice opened my world—I began to feel alive in my body and reconnected mind, body, and spirit.
You don’t have to survive a car accident to begin again. Mindful practice is available to anyone. Anytime. Anywhere. No matter what the circumstance you’re faced with, draw on the hope that all is not lost. We all can reconnect with ourselves and live more authentically. When we open to and are drawn to our passion, we find our true selves.
I love practicing Seated Twist because it reminds me to listen to my body. Being mindful of my injury keeps me present, but it also helps me connect to inner wisdom. Every part of my body is connected – I feel whole when I tap into this space.
Mindful Practice:
Seated Twist
*Move slightly forward in the chair.
*Variation: Since I have a spine injury, I rest at the back of the chair for support.
*Explore what feels best for you.
*Always let your body decide when and how to move in and out of poses or mindful practice.
*Again, only you know what feels good in your body.
*Inhale and bring your left hand to the outside of your right thigh, the right hand behind you, or to your side with fingers pointing away.
*Elongate your spine slowly as you breathe.
*On an exhale, gently twist your torso, neck, and head to your right.
*With each inhale, elongate your spine, with exhale, see if you can twist a bit more without strain.
*Adjust the twist for your body and your practice.
*Don’t go as far if you feel strain, dizziness, burning, throbbing, or pain.
*Listen to the messages your body shares with you.
*Customize your movement to fit your body and your practice.
*On exhale, bring head, neck, and torso back to starting position and take another deep breath in and out through your nose.
*Repeat the other side slowly.
*Observe the breath in seated twist.
*When you return to your center, take a couple of Sigh-out Breaths to refresh.
*Try practicing this pose two or three times or what feels good to your practice.
*When ready, answer the following prompt.
Exploratory Writing Prompt: What personal discoveries have brought you the most joy? What is your best attribute? What is your least favorite attribute? Name a highlight of the last month. What are you looking forward to next month? What would it feel like to just be you?
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