Hello friends! - about my bike wreck...

Artwork by - Jeff Kinzel

Hello friends! A month ago, I left the house for one of my standard road bike rides. I headed up and over the mountain behind my house, making my way along Windswept Drive. Heading downhill, a flattened front tire was too soft to control the combined torque of deceleration and a hairpin turn. I smashed into the pavement directly onto my left hip. I felt the femur separate. Within an hour, I was at Mission Hospital where I would stay for emergency surgery and post-operative care. 

Those days in the hospital summoned a sense of equipoise. I was uncomfortable and had pain killers as well as anesthesia coursing through my body. My mind was hazy but active. I could either focus on the discomfort or on the healing… on frustration or on acceptance. The yoga sutras came to mind. I could either move toward or away from a yogic state: aklista (unafflicted) or klista (afflicted). 

Lying in bed, I remembered what I’d been learning about my abdomen, back, and legs in supine and forward bending asanas. I lengthened and softened my back body and allowed my front body to support the rear. I worked to join body, mind, and breath to seek release and calm while stuck in that hospital bed.

Returning home, I continually reminded myself of the value of rest. I planted myself on the couch. The swelling must subside. The blood must circulate. 

I paid attention to the painful areas to discover how to support them and bring relief there. When confronted with a movement that caused pain, I thought of BKS Iyengar’s words in Light on Life. If pain changes and transforms, it’s probably ok to move through it. But if pain is sharp and resistant, it's best to back away.

This month hasn’t been entirely a journey toward a more yogic state of mind. My internal couch potato sprouted roots. I watched TV. I’m not proud of just how much TV... But I know that my healing journey will take time and patience. Years of yoga study are a beacon calling me to continue to join mind, body, and breath to stay positive. 

~Ned Gardiner

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