National Scoliosis Awareness Day
I don’t often publish when I write about my back, but I guess National Scoliosis Day (held tomorrow) gave me the push to share how living with this condition changed my life for the better (in the end!).
During Lockdown, I picked up my daughter Amaya and twisted awkwardly; my heart sunk as the twinge in my back reminded me of an old nightmare from years ago – the one where I was in agony for months on end, leaving me depleted, full of pain medication, anxious, depressed and unable to walk, let alone work.
Thankfully, it was just that, a twinge, but it took me a while to process all the emotion and fear that resurfaced.
As many of you know, I have a condition called Scoliosis, aesthetically when looking at my back, my spine is an S shaped curve, it’s a functional curve, which formed after I broke my ankle at 12 years old. As I began to favour one side, I grew in such a way that created a double curve in my spine.
As the curve formed it created tension, not only muscular with added surrounding tissue discomfort, but also a re-allocation of space, for example of my internal organs; in turn led to a sense of losing my centre (often translated into feelings of anxiousness and out of balance with my natural energy centre).
At 19, I was prepared for spinal fusing in Exeter. I declined this, as I felt extremely ill prepared, with a lack of support and education to this life changing process. I am sure, and very much hope, this has since changed considerably. For many, fusing the spine works very well, but it wasn’t for me back then. By 28 my ‘back’ collapsed and coupled with herniated discs, I was unable to walk. I had ignored, blocked it out and masked it for way too long.
That was when I really found Yoga. I’m not talking the 60% of Yoga you see on Instagram, (which couldn’t have been further away from where I was back then); Instead, I learnt to listen to sensation, I learnt to become aware of proprioception, elongation, strengthening safely, and working with my very own functionality. More than anything it taught me to breathe, to place my feet firmly back on the ground and to slow my racing and worrying mind. This was such an incredible gift.
Learning as much as I could about my condition, (and many more back conditions along the way) through self-practice and study with some of the world’s greatest therapists and teachers, I have been so privileged to work with over the years, it all became less scary. They do say knowledge is power …
I always say Yoga is for everyone, and this is my story that I wanted to share with you as to why I am so passionate about the truth of this life changing practice. As a wise teacher once told me, we practice Yoga to improve our quality of life, not to be perfect.
Katie
