My hand hurts. I’m not sure why. It’s at the base of my thumb where your palm starts to turn into your wrist. Sometimes it’s an acute, sharp pain…like when I’m holding a jar or a sippy cup, twisting the lid off with my other hand. Mostly of the time it’s just a dull ache.
At the start of almost every class I teach ask my students to take time to scan their bodies and check for areas that may need a little special care or attention during their practice that day. I’m much better at encouraging others to be gentle to their bodies than I am about being gentle to mine. But this dull ache isn’t going away, and so I’ve started to listen.
I’m trying to avoid poses that require me to put pressure on my hands or wrists. Avoiding plank and downdog has been a challenge…especially mentally. I watch my students flowing through sun salutations or holding a balancing downdog between standing asanas and yearn to join them. But the memory of the dull ache that will seep into my hand once class is over holds me back.
I feel fortunate that my practice has grown giving me the ability to explore asanas that have similar benefits, but don’t require pressure on my hand. Dolphin and fore arm plank have proven to be very effective substitutions in my recent practices. I also feel fortunate that my practice has grown beyond focusing simply on the physical benefits yoga has to offer. My trips to the mat are just as rewarding, just as nurturing, even with the modifications.
Stepping back is good. It’s good for my body. Good for my practice. Good for my teaching. This problem is temporary and hopefully in a few days, with some special care, it will pass. My practice is permanent.
namaste
JMavin Massage 