Grateful Progress

It's been a real learning curve in the 6 harmonies since I separated my shoulder last Monday and another learning curve in just where a shoulder is being used. Washing my hair has been a challenge and it really bites to have long hair right now. Not only that, how do I train without setting myself back and be in the perpetual injury status?

I had a long talk with Sifu Brinker about training and progressing wisely. I'm off pushups for a while, but have substituted in squats as my "mindless" exercise. Situps are sitting crunches to ensure that my shoulder isn't pulled unnecessarily. The big message for me was to narrow my focus and be VERY AWARE of how my body is moving. To me, this means to slow everything down and work on technique and footwork. That I definitely can do. Sifu Brinker also instilled that "when the shoulder pain is gone and I think I am healed, wait 2 more weeks" because that is when my shoulder is very vulnerable to re-injury. Point well taken.

I have seen my chiropractor twice since the injury and definite progress has been noted. I can lift my hand above my head and have a greater range of mobility. Every day I can notice leaps in my progress and for that I am happy and grateful. I am also very grateful and happy when I can do something better today than what I could do yesterday. I am thrilled about being able to tie my belt by myself, put my hair in a ponytail, zipping up a jacket again, and sleeping without a sling. Believe me, it's the little things that count.

Soon I will be able to incorporate deep tissue massage to break up any scar tissue, increase the blood flow, and amplify the healing. Again this is a timing thing as I don't want to go too soon and set myself back. Once is enough. Even though I'm looking forward to being back better than ever, I'm not rushing myself to get there. My body is in charge and I'm listening to it loud and clear. Unfortunately it takes an injury to clue into something that's been told a hundred times before. However, the important part is cluing in and progressing not only wisely, but different than before.
Sherri Donohue
Hot Torch, Room Full of Glass, and a Kung Fu Kwoon