Reducing pain, increasing mobility and feeling younger

Problem:

Jan was always active, a competitive hiker and runner for many years. But in her late 40s, she learned she had an irregular heart rhythm and needed a pacemaker. With an electrode inserted into her shoulder and fitted into a pocket between the skin and chest muscle, Jan found the range of movement in her shoulder was severely limited. Add to that her sore joints and muscles, ankles and hips that continually ached - just getting out of bed in the morning was no longer a pleasant experience. Her health was deteriorating and she had to do something about it.

Solution:

Jan carefully followed the directions of her class instructors. She was told it was her job to stay comfortable throughout the class. Only she knew the definition of comfort. In most fitness studios, “tolerable pain” is very acceptable, even encouraged. At Sugi Studios the word “comfort” is a strong part of the fitness and health equation. Jan grasped the concept and understood it. She didn’t try to hold a posture until she was told to stop. She learned to listen to her own body, and finished her movements on her own timetable. Finally, Jan was patient, tested the Sugi assertions, and took time to see the results.

Result:

Shortly after beginning Sugi Yoga, Jan started feeling better. She felt refreshed after each class instead of exhausted and sore. She learned how to pay attention to how she was moving her body, instead of making instinctual, automatic body movements that sometimes made her uncomfortable or gave her pain. Today, Jan feels at least 10 years younger and her ease and range of movement has improved dramatically. She is back on the hiking trails, teaches elementary school children about flora and fauna on their field trips, works at a local nursery and has become a Sugi Yoga instructor herself.

“My life has improved so much. I never thought I would get the range of motion I had after the pacemaker. After one class, I just knew this was it for me. Being kind to yourself and focusing on alignment with a natural progression of movement served me better than forcing myself to make an uncomfortable movement. I know now that just because I’m getting older, I don’t have to feel older but can actually improve my movement. When I’m 80, just think what I will be able to do! ”