Gratitude from Shih Fu Catherine

Ni hao dear Body Balance students and colleagues,

There's just no way to adequately express my gratitude for all your well wishes, meditations, visits, phone calls, and help in the wake of my recent accident. I understand that Shih Fu has kept you updated on the whole story and my progress in healing.

Despite some worry and fear about undergoing such a big operation, on the day of my surgery, I awoke feeling buoyed up in a huge safety net of well wishes and love, confident that everything was going to be perfect. And it truly was!  I was laughing and joking with my doctors and nurses all the way into the operating room. I remember nothing from the 2 hour procedure and went home that day feeling amazingly OK.

Of course there have been tough days.  I have a new respect for western pain medications, although I'm also using homeopathic remedies, supplements, ice and deep breathing to deal with the pain. Let me say that all through this experience, from the moment I slipped off the roof right up to now, I'm doing fine. My broken ankle is healing well. I maintain my spirits with plenty of rest, fresh food, and daily contact with the practice. 

Notice I didn't say practice, because, let me tell you, it is not possible to perform a weight shift when your healing depends on keeping weight off one of your legs! But I can imagine that weight shift. And so far, I've been able to practice mentally while laying down. (Try it yourself sometime!)

Did you know that Qi Gong works pretty well at any angle? Lying down flat; lying down with leg and head propped on pillows; sitting in a recliner chair; even balancing on one leg while using crutches.

Let me exclaim here about the power of Section Three! That's where I first learned to really balance on one leg.  And that skill has come in very handy in the last month of using crutches full time.  Every time I wobble or slip, I find new ways to root through my right foot. More about this in another blog...

I'm about ready to try some kind of seated practice, of Qi Gong, if not Tai Chi.  I'll have plenty of time to refine that practice before I bring it to the studio, because I've just been given another 5 weeks in a cast with no weight-bearing on my left leg.

Xie xie to my students for continue to practice diligently in my absence from our weekly classes.  And to Shih Fu Eileen for stepping in to seamlessly keep the flow going.  I'm sure Chris Hooley has stepped up to an even higher level of transmission in this time of opportunity. And to all the teachers at Body Balance who are filling in and taking on the extra load while I take the necessary time to heal.

I am gaining the strength and stamina to return. It won't be too much longer, although I can't make promises or give a date.  One day soon, you'll here me clump-clumping up the back stairs and you'll see my bright purple, knee-high cast and know I have returned.

For now, I yield to my body's need to heal. I use the principles of our practice on a daily, hourly basis to uphold my spirits.  I have faith that all is already well.