Tuesday, March 22, 2011

1 Inch & 5 Seconds: Forever Changed

One of my yoga therapy clients raised her foot one inch off the ground tonight in a balance pose.

And she cried.

First she cried because she was afraid.

Just one inch.

Then she cried because I said I wasn't going to start counting to five until her foot was actually off the floor.

Just one inch. For five seconds.

And then she cried because she did it.

She raised her foot one inch off the floor. For five seconds.

This doesn't sound like much to most of us, but for her this was huge. It's been five years since her accident that left her with serious physical issues. Five years of learning to live with pain, being told no you can't do that, and being afraid to even try.

And for tonight, for just five seconds, she proved she could and she did.

And I had to work really hard not to cry.

What saves a man is to take a step. And then another step.
-- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

13 comments:

  1. This post came at a perfect time. tonight has been a difficult night - seems to me my baby steps are leading me to nowhere. thank you for making me see that baby steps are significant on its own. there is no destination only the journey <3

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  2. Wow! How powerful!! You're doing such important work.

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  3. What a gorgeous post. It is honouring those huge tiny steps that speaks of you as a teacher. Blessings.

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  4. Baby steps, humble pie, and boundless love,
    yoga changes everything.
    love you girl!

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  5. Wow, this is truly inspiring for so many who struggle. Your love, and support probably changed her life forever:-) Beautiful!

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  6. What a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing.

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  7. I cried reading it. Breakthroughs are blessings, no matter how small they may seem from the outside.

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  8. Beautiful. What important, essential work you are doing.

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  9. wonderful! Have had similar situations in classes.. what a gift she gave you and even more you gave her

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  10. Beautiful and wonderful post, thank you.

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  11. Amazing work for both her and for you. Thank you so much for sharing! Something so simple can be so hard.

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  12. Woo hoo - what an inspirational story. I know I am guilty of taking my balance and flexibility for granted when in essence I should be grateful for every asanas I can do. I think it would of been ok for you to cry with your student - I know I probably would have.

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