Where did my limp go? It’s gone! This is astonishing to me! It’s something I’ve wished for, but never expected it would actually happen.
For the last 3 years, with the help of excellent practitioners, I’ve been re-learning how to walk. Everything I’ve tried has helped, including prayer, physical therapy, yoga, massage, body-mind centering, zero balancing, cranio-sacral, indigenous healing, shamanic healing, acupuncture, fitness training, weight lifting, aqua fitness, swimming, dance, and a good cobbler who builds up my right shoe.
I’ve gained strength, stability and balance… and felt tremendous gratitude for progress. And yet… everyone who’s worked with me has heard me say, “I wish I could walk smoothly without a limp.”
In April, I began to work with my movement therapist Ellen Barlow using the Gyrotonic Method. She’d been recommending it for a long time. I finally felt ready to try it.
At the end of the first session, as I left the building, I got very quiet inside and very curious. What was happening?
My walking was fluid. It was graceful. I was walking more quickly. I couldn’t discern the significant limp that had gotten me in the door. I wasn’t concentrating on every step, thinking… firm belly, engage butt, lift right knee, heel-toe, engage left hip, activate left hamstring, heel-toe. I was just walking. My differently abled legs were now doing the same thing. Just walking. And what used to feel like a terrible gripping in my low back and right leg, now felt like the hand of G-d supporting me.
Each session of Gyrotonic has settled me further into this new natural. There have been discoveries of weaknesses and strengths I hadn’t understood before. It’s fun! The movements are spiral, circular, and undulating. There is pattern, rhythm, and wave. It feels like flying and like I’m at home again in my body.
Strangely enough, at the same time my walk is changing, I’ve noticed that the way I see myself in the mirror is changing. I’m pleased rather than distressed. I have a sense of well-being.
Now, I’m wondering. Is it OK to hope for more?
Faith and hope have never come easily to me. At least not consciously. I might wish for something or fantasize about it, but not have faith that I would receive such a gift. I always fantasized about losing weight, but I never had the faith that it could really happen. Coming into a right size body through my 12 step program for food addiction was a tremendous gift that continues to amaze me.
I may have an underlying belief that I’ve received such gifts of healing, it would be greedy to want more. There’s a list of my traumatic injuries on this page and I’m so very grateful to have recovered this much.
I’m going to take a leap of faith here and declare two hopes. I’d love to be able to decrease the medication I’m on for neuropathy. I’d love to be able to walk up and down stairs without needing a bannister.
Is it possible? A friend told me that healing is infinite. I can hope.
Here’s a video of the Gyrotonic Method from the Elements Fitness and Wellness Center. The first person you see in the video doing Gyrotonic is my wonderful movement therapist Ellen Barlow.
Love & Light,
Valerie
This is wonderful news. I did gyro too for a month and then my friend/therapist moved and I haven’t since.
Hi Tres,
Thank you!
Do you know of a fully equipped studio in NYC?
Love & Light,
Valerie
wonderful! ma
Thanks, Ma!
So happy for you. A very big hug.
Luanne
Very big hug to you, too, dear Luanne.
You are looking gorgeous! Hope you are feeling better and better all the time!
Love & Light,
Valerie
so very happy to hear this!
Hi Betsy!
Thanks so much. I hope you are doing well. Looking forward to seeing your latest jewelry creations next time I’m at Aveda.
Dear readers, Betsy is a fine artist who also makes wearable pieces. See her inventive work here: http://www.betsypackard.com/BETSY_PACKARD/Betsy_Packard.html.
Love & Light,
Valerie
Such a positive, uplifting message. I’m very happy for you and your continued healing.
Thank you, Terri.
I’m very happy for the life you are choosing to lead — family, nature, exploration. You inspire me.
Love & Light,
Valerie
Miracles abound my sweet Valerie. How much can you accept/hold? Please, take welcome more…
Love
Roy
Dearest Roy,
Thank you for the reminder that miracles abound. One very good reason for me to practice meditation is that each day I sit for 20+ minutes, I notice miracles everywhere, all day. My happiness increases.
(Deep breath.) I accept the permission you are offering me to take/hold/welcome more miracles.
Love & Light,
Valerie
just checking – as usual the responses to your Cup are fascinating reading. your ma
Wow … that’s fantastic Valerie. In the short time that I’ve known you I have seen you grow into your beautiful self. Confident and radiant.
Keep going, don’t look back. Look forward and enjoy!!
Thank you, Elisabeth. What a lovely compliment, especially coming from one as beautiful as you!
I will take your encouragement gratefully!
Love & Light,
Valerie
Healing is infinite. I love that thought … thank you!
Hi Em,
I do, too. A fellow in my 12 step program offered that insight. What a blessing.
Love & Light,
Valerie
Fabulous! Love you, dear one.
Love you, too, Dana. Hoping to see you soon.
Love & Light,
Valerie
This is wonderful news! On to the next hope-fulfillment!
Thank you, Kit.
Walking is so pleasurable now. I was just at the grocery store… gliding from aisle to aisle, in heaven!
Love & Light,
Valerie
So happy for you Valerie 🙂
Let’s do something soon
Joy,
Elisabeth
Thank you dear Elisabeth.
Yes! I would be happy to do something soon.
Would you like to visit an art gallery together?
Love & Light,
Valerie
Hooray hooray, wonderful news, hard work and much faith rewarded. Keep the faith rolling, a wise woman once said “healing is infinite.” much love to you, dear V!! <3
Thank you so much, sweet Susan!
I’m still learning… even after all these years of life teaching me to be hopeful.
Hope you see your ranch some day!
Love & Light,
Valerie