“We’re surprised that you can walk. You should credit your yoga for that.”
- Three doctors upon looking at my X-rays.
Many of you know that I had a severe back injury when I was a kid. I started practicing yoga fifteen years ago as a way to deal with my chronic back pain. That practice has helped immensely. But my back has been bothering me lately, and X-rays have revealed complications from my old injury.
I’ve started an intensive spinal treatment program - it’s a combination of things, which take a lot of time and are all kinda painful and unpleasant. It’s one of those “the only way out is through” situations.
I appreciate the term “temporarily able-bodied” because of the powerful perspective shift it provides.1 It reminds me of one of my favorite stories about the broken glass.
Once someone asked a well-known Thai meditation master, "In this world where everything changes, where nothing remains the same, where loss and grief are inherent in our very coming into existence, how can there be any happiness? How can we find security when we see that we can't count on anything being the way we want it to be?"
The teacher, looking compassionately at this fellow, held up a drinking glass that had been given to him earlier in the morning and said, "You see this goblet? For me, this glass is already broken. I enjoy it. I drink out of it. It holds my water admirably, sometimes even reflecting the sun in beautiful patterns. If I should tap it, it has a lovely ring to it. But when I put this glass on a shelf and the wind knocks it over, or my elbow brushes it off the table and it falls to the ground and shatters, I say, 'Of course.'
When I understand that this glass is already broken, every moment with it is precious. Every moment is just as it is, and nothing need be otherwise."
And so it is with a human body. It’s already broken, so I try to find the preciousness in every moment I can take a walk with the dog or get on a yoga mat. I’m not great at saying “of course” when I’m in pain. (What I say is mostly expletives.) But beneath the profanity is an odd comfort in the acceptance of impermanence.
As I venture into my hiatus for July, I’m focusing on my health in all the ways. This includes finding the balance between working and resting, something that so many of us struggle with.
The term life sabbatical is gaining traction (“you can do it for just a day!!!”) but the concept shouldn’t seem new or foreign. My fellow yoga nerds will recall the fundamental concepts of Abhyasa and Vairagya. Abhyasa refers to effort or perseverance, and Vairagya means ease or detachment. The yogis tell us that this balance is the key to health in the body and mind.
And they have been right about this stuff for the last 2000 years or so.
I’ve got a great team supporting my spinal health. I’m doing my treatments and my PT five days a week. That’s the effort. The ease will be everything else for the next month.
I’ve set up a schedule so you’ll get newsletters from the archives while I’m away - you can catch up on things you might have missed. There is always an emotional twinge when I go offline for a bit. It’s all the things: relief, excitement, guilt, FOMO. But I always return with a renewed understanding and fresh devotion to my work and my place in the world. I am privileged and grateful to have this time off, and I intend to use it wisely.
I hope you find some time to care for yourself as well. Even if it’s simply closing your eyes, taking a deep inhale and then letting it out slow.
Like, right now. Go ahead.
You got this.
Here’s what else happened this week:
What I watched
Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution (Netflix)
This documentary explores the history of LGBTQ+ stand-up comedy — I wasn’t expecting it to be so powerful and emotional. It was beautifully done. As Pride month comes to an end, Queer history and Queer joy continue to be important.
What I read
I used to say I would never watch or read anything that took place during the pandemic, and I still think that is sort of right for me. But I’m enjoying this novel about love, art, and “what it means to be happy even when the world is falling apart.” It’s a bit of a fluffy summer read, which is a nice change for me.
What I watched twice (OK three times) and thought was hysterical
What I posted for you
“If you would seek health, look first to the spine.” - Socrates
Please take care of your back. Here are some free videos on my YouTube channel to help you do that. (Oh and this will help your mind, too. Win/win.)
Thank you for being part of this community, friends. The newsletters from the archives will be going out to both paid and free subscribers for the next four weeks, as a thank you for existing.
Take good care of yourselves and each other.
Much love,
~Lisa
I will note here that there are people with disabilites who both promote and vehemently oppose this concept. So yeah, I dunno what to tell you.