Injuries Suck When You're a Yoga Fanatic

Two weeks ago, I fractured my radius in a skiing accident up at Killington. I learned how to ski three years ago, and it's become one of my favorite recreational activities. My boyfriend and I even bought skis this past September (only to have like, the mildest winter ever with a total of three snowflakes). Nevertheless, I managed to break my arm. Conditions were icy, I was flying down a trail on my last run of the day (I was fatigued), and I lost my balance on a turn. Physical and emotional agony ensued.

 

bones.

This injury has prevented me from teaching and taking yoga. For. Six. Weeks. Sometimes, I imagine showing up at my studio and attempting to take class, but then I consider how the entire sixty minutes would be extremely modified to the point of absurdity (no planks, no downward facing dogs, what could I even do except a one-armed chair pose?). And the sweat would drip into pink-camouflage cast...

 

My hair is styled by one of my former students, who is now an eighth grader. Every Monday and Thursday, she is paid in delicious cookies from Whole Foods.

Plus...I do need to give my arm time to heal and rebuild. Just typing this post with my hand is proving to be uncomfortable.

But I have to do something. I started having exercise withdrawals after three days of sitting in bed watching Love and Hip Hop reruns and eating my weight in Fage yogurt, almonds, and chia seeds (healthy binge eating). So I bought some of those resistance band loops and hit the Tufts track for some serious booty sculpting.

 

This encouraging photo was taken by my wonderful boyfriend who feels somewhat responsible for the skiing accident, as he's the one who taught me how to ski.

  

 I've been doing my best to use the stationary bike or elliptical trainer at the gym for an hour a day to push my heart rate up. My handy-dandy Charge HR Fitbit (Valentine's Day present, courtesy of beau-friend) has been majorly helpful in recording my workout stats to push me harder. 

But all I want to do is get out of this cast and back into Sculpt/ Core Cardio Circuit classes. :(

For now, my Wednesdays 5:30 PM are being covered by Carlyene, and Sundays at 10:30 AM by Tristan. 

 

Check out Tristan's Yoga Sculpt classes for bumping playlists and cool sequencing. 

My follow-up appointment is Thursday, March 31st. I hope they'll take an X-Ray and be like, "Oh my God, this is unprecedented. It looks like years of Yoga Sculpt has truly paid off! You're free from the cast and ready to roll out your mat- tonight. If you leave now, you might be able to make Leah's 5:30 PM class!"

Until then, thanks for the support and well wishes, everyone!

 

My Yoga Sculpt Journey

I took this YSTT journey in large thanks to YS teachers who pushed me into believing in myself when I was skeptical about doing anything “extra” in my life. I have been a classroom teacher for four years in a tough neighborhood, and since the age of 23, I have dedicated 200% of my life to my students and career from September to June. 

This year, I left the classroom to become a literacy coach between the three middle schools in my district. YSTT was to commence literally two weeks into my new position. I lamented to my assistant manager in Medford that “There is no way I can take something on like this right now.” And her response was one that I’ll save for a lifetime: “It will never be the right time. You’ll always make excuses to not do something. If you’re excited about it now, do it now.” This is what pushed me into doing YSTT in September, and this philosophy is what reinforced my joining this extensions program. 

As a result of completing YSTT, I have enjoyed all of the benefits you hear and read about: I have made awesome new friends, I have learned so much more about my favorite form of physical exercise, but the biggest takeaway for me is that I have learned how to balance my life, believe in myself, and take chances so I can be better for myself, my friends and family, and the students and teachers I serve in the education field. Though it was difficult and challenging at times, I’m so glad I did this training to sculpt a better version of myself.

 

What is Yoga Sculpt?

A lot of times, people will be like, "Oh you're a yoga teacher? Cool, I can't see you doing that." That's mostly because I can be obnoxious, loud, impulsive, energetic, and cynical. I guess I can be intense, and when people think yoga, this image comes to mind:

 

Not that there's anything wrong with this. I dig it. Meditation and yoga go hand-in-hand, but I've only started exploring that aspect to yoga recently. And by exploring, I mean, being aware that you're supposed to be mindful and focusing on your breath in savasana. Like, I used to lie on my mat, wiping sweat form my face, itching my armpits, pulling down my soaked camisole, and thinking about what I was going to do as soon as the teacher closed us out. But since accidentally taking a Mindfulness course at B.U. for my Master's, I've become keenly aware of everything I've been doing wrong in life.

Anyway, I don't really focus on this piece of meditative yoga in my Sculpt classes, although I will remind students in savasana to "return to your breath, allow yourself to just be, try to quiet your mind of busy thoughts." But most people are conked out at this point because yoga sculpt is one of the hardest damn workouts you'll ever do.

That's why I love it so much. It's part yoga (there are some fundamental principles of vinyasa yoga- Sun A's with chatarungas, Sun B's with some Warrior 2's), it's part aerobics/ Swedish gym workout (we'll hit the climax of class during a four minute cardio burst chock-full of jumping jacks, high knees, and sometimes burpees), it's part free weights strengthening (there is a section of class devoted to a squat song, a bicep curl/ push-up track, etc.). Here's a video clip to see what it looks like in action.

You'll need two sets of weights (heavy and light/sculpting set). Many people who have never taken the class/ do not regularly use weights start with 3 and 5 lb. weights. Some like to go for 5lbs. and 8 lbs. It's up to you. Some people choose to not even use weights in their practice, but they still get great workouts, too!

Bring a mat, a towel (to avoid turning your mat into a slip n' slide), and water. Some teachers will instruct you to grab a block or strap, which can typically be found in the back of the studio. For your first class, I'd suggest setting up in the middle/back of the room to watch the "regulars" and catch onto the moves. If at any point the movements or heat (or both) are becoming too much, you can always drop the weights, use a lighter set, or come down to a seated position on your mat (keeping your head elevated above your heart). Us teachers were trained to give lots of options for modifications throughout class, but it still is a good idea to check in with the instructor prior to class to let him/her know of any previous injuries.

The heat is cranked up to about 95 degrees, and you don't even realize when you begin to sweat because you're too busy enjoying the awesome playlist, tailored to fit each of the moves and exercises.

 
Here's my February playlist.  
 

The whole class is 60 minutes from start to finish, and by the end, your two minute savasana feels like you've reached nirvana. You're so exhausted, you can't even lift your arm to fix your camisole bra strap, anyway.

Namaste, Dudes

I took my first yoga class at Baptiste (at the old South End location) when I was fifteen years old, and at first I awkwardly laughed through every chant and “Om” that was uttered. But by the end of the 90 minutes of hardcore heat and postures, I was different. I was shocked and exhausted, and instantly hooked to this whole yoga thing. I have taken many classes and formats since that fateful class, and in 2014 I finally found my favorite: Yoga Sculpt. Having grown up in a world of dance and gym-style exercise classes, I was very pleased to find that YS combined the best parts of all of my favorite forms of exercise- the yoga, the heat, the music, the rhythm, and the weight lifting. I'm thrilled to be a new member of the fun, welcoming Corepower Yoga community, and I look forward to sharing my energy and passion with everyone.

I currently teach Yoga Sculpt in Medford. Catch me Wednesdays st 5:30 PM or Sundays at 10:30 AM. If you're new to CPY- you get a free unlimited week trial. Make sure to arrive a solid 15 minutes before class starts to sign up.