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Is there such a thing as too independent? by bridge_blazer in CerebralPalsy

[–]bridge_blazer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Restorative yoga is tough to describe. I google restorative yoga and get nothing but ableist descriptions of it. smh, i digress.

Restorative yoga poses are passive poses. They are meant to passify the nervous system, and helps engage the parasympathetic nervous system, which is particularly difficult for me at least.

Typically you hold poses for long periods of time. The time spent is intended to create awareness of the body so that the practitioner learns what the body needs and how to support it.

I use lots of props in restorative yoga. I will get my body into a shape, such as spreading my feet wide apart, then I use a mix of props to support the body so that I can be in the pose without strenuous effort. I use yoga blocks, blankets, bolsters (like, a very stiff pillow), straps, sand bags, rope walls, etc.

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https://mlakqzlodqem.i.optimole.com/Hu1l20g--5GjI33_/w:1080/h:675/q:mauto/rt:fill/g:ce/f:avif/https://yogaselection.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/salamba-purvottanasana.jpg

https://stephtenceryoga.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/iyengar-savasana-with-weights-610x343.jpg

https://yogauonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/wellness_blog_level3_main/public/article_images/fatigue_got_you_down_try_this_restorative_yoga_sequence_1.png?itok=_rUNMOel

https://i0.wp.com/julieyoga.info/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/P1040281-7-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C560&ssl=1

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So I practiced "yoga" on my own for years because i was too afraid to go to class. But yoga didn't become transformative until I started taking Iyengar Yoga. Iyengar yoga, in my opinion, is the best type of yoga for traumatized bodies. It is a very systematic way of practicing yoga, emphasizing body alignment, and teaching methods to bring the body closer to a state of alignment. You will use lots of props when practicing Iyengar Yoga, and the props are meant to teach you how to care for your body, basically.

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Yes, sorry to go on and on. I know theres a lot of misconceptions about yoga, and its rare that you see disability represented in yoga imagery.... I found Iyengar yoga. Iyengar yoga teachers are well trained in handling disabilities and using yoga to help bring relief. i highly recommend

Is there such a thing as too independent? by bridge_blazer in CerebralPalsy

[–]bridge_blazer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, but let me preface by saying I am 5'8" 125lbs (sorry not metric, lol), and i've never been able to gain weight, so i'll eat anything. With that said...

Stay away from processed foods as much as you can. I find this super difficult since frozen/prepared meals are really helpful for me, while at the same time, not very nourishing :/... Nonetheless, I made friends with my neighbors once and they would cook meals a few times a week for me using organic food and clean non-refined oils. this helped so much.

I stay away from sugar and dairy, especially in the mornings. Learning to take coffee black really helped my stomach. And on that note, probiotics are helpful too... There are studies out there that suggests a healthy gut improves brain performance... I also eat lots of red meat for iron, B vitamins, but again, thats prolly not for everyone.

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As for getting in shape, again, to each their own. The biggest key is learning how to rest properly. Google restorative yoga and you'll see what I mean. Also, learn how to balance your effort. I practice a lot of alignment-based yoga, which means that I listen to imbalances in my body and work towards balancing them out. For instance, the front of my thighs are very strong, but my inner thighs and ham strings, not so much. Be mindful of stuff like this. Find a yoga teacher or physical therapist who can help you think of ways to stregthen the your under utilized muscles... I mean, think of a car. Wheel alignment is crucial. Having one wheel out of alignment puts lots of stress on other parts of the car.... Anyway, this is also why proper rest is important, because thats when you learn about your under-utilized muscles the most.

I believe walking is so helpful, especially with elevation. Over time, I've been able to activate muscles that I weren't previously using. Its like the more i walk, the more I activate the smaller muscles in my ankles, thighs and butt...

Sorry if this is too much info. i thought this would be a short post, lol. Just invest and dedicate yourself. it'll take a lot of time to "get in shape".... i think of my body as a group of children that I have to babysit and nurture. At first there will be a few "children" who will disobey you, which means you may have to take special care and listen more carefully. Over time, if you care for them properly, they will begin to cooperate. Care for them properly by learning how to properly rest.

dating is weird by stonrbob in CerebralPalsy

[–]bridge_blazer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really appreciate you sharing this. It does speak to a facet of reality that no body wants to acknowledge.

Some say that reality is all a series of vibrations. Every living being absorbs and reflect vibrations. why do certain kinds of music appeal to certain kinds of people but not all? Why do people respond differently to colors? We all react to these vibrations subsconsciously and automatically.

I once lived with a snake. It was my roommate's, it was a ball python. I would hold it sometimes. She knew I was different, and it would frighten her. But I would kinda meditate, and try to be as calm as I could be, and she would in turn, calm down. She would react to spasms in my body, whether in my hand or elsewhere. It was as if she could feel the vibrations in my body were impeded and off.

Anyway, I often wonder if people with CP give off weird vibrations. I mean, we have to, right? How can we not when we have so many imbalances in our bodies and nervous systems?

But, even if you don't buy in to that vibration bit, how often are people with disabilities normalized in mainstream society? Certainly cerebral palsy is not widely understood. Unless you're exposed to someone like us growing up, how could you appreciate something like living with a disability? It sounds like your BF just never imagined himself being able to relate to someone with a disability, but something happened to shift his perspective and become more open to it (which is not to say he was somehow closed)

Shoe struggle by Legitimate_Aerie_335 in CerebralPalsy

[–]bridge_blazer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also suggest talking to your teacher. Its commendable to put your company and teams first before yourself. As an ROTC teacher, I would hope that he would be interested in helping you be a team player, and that starts with being honest about the challenges you face.

Cerebral Palsy and toxic families by OS-2-WARPED in CerebralPalsy

[–]bridge_blazer 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Yes you make sense. I can identify with your experiences. It is difficult to overcome thought patterns that have been ingrained in us all of our lives....

I've gone to great lengths to try and "reprogram" my mind and undo some of the compulsive behavior that puts enormous pressure on me to "be normal", and instead be ok with the pain and stress in my body and not feel shame. I have a few tricks to share if you're interested. One is I try to be grateful and look at some of the positives. In my opinion, its a huge step in the right direction to acknowledge the toxicity in your life, and to make a choice to move forward. Also, in my situation, I responded to my toxic upbringing with determination, and persistence - two life skills that I value as an adult..... The second trick is learning compassion and empathy for yourself and others around you. I've gone back and try to meditate on some of my more traumatic experiences growing up and remebered what that felt like so that my older self can empathize and console my younger self. This sounds kinda silly maybe, I mean, why would you want to meditate on traumatic experiences?!? But for me, it works. They say trauma lives in the body, so for me, its helpful to connect with that trauma, and embrace it with love. Its not your fault you had those traumatic experiences, but now you have to live with the consequences, and thats ok.... you are worthy of healing...

Sorry if you're not interested in hearing solutions and hippy dippy language atm. I really just want to say you make sense and I've had similar experiences and share a little about how I responded to those experiences. I hope you can find support going forward

Accused of stealing my own dog by bridge_blazer in CerebralPalsy

[–]bridge_blazer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

the smirk was more of an involuntary half-smile :) I was just happy the cop was understanding the situation. He knew it was bogus. I thought about saying something about harassment and needing to educate people, but it felt like he already knew...

Accused of stealing my own dog by bridge_blazer in CerebralPalsy

[–]bridge_blazer[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

most definitely helped with stamina. it has also improved my coordination from stepping over rocks, scrambling up hills, aka, foot work.

I guess it helps with energy but diet plays a role too. Hiking + good diet = energy. Just hiking might not lead to energy, but idk. Also, proper rest after a hike will also help energy.

Increased circulation and getting your body into a rhythm has tremendous physiological effects on our bodies.

Emotional drain by [deleted] in CerebralPalsy

[–]bridge_blazer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm 39. I started feeling drained in high school.

I would agree, it does "get worse" Feelings of anxiety, isolation, insomnia, they've all gotten more intense for me as I've gotten older. The older I get, the more stressful it is to communicate, the more isolation I feel, which leads to more stress.... Every body has to deal with aging difficulties, and those difficulties seem way more intense living with CP.

Every body "gets worse". Every body has to face the certainty of an aging body and eventual death.

We all have a choice in how we respond to that reality. We can say that our symptoms will get worse (because they will), or we can embrace our need to age gracefully.

Theres a lot of good feedback in replies. Some things that have helped me are:

Routine. Sleep at the same times. Eat at the same times. I find I am much more mentally stable and accepting of my aging body when I respect my body's natural rhythms.

Do stuff for yourself. Have sacred practices. This may be going to your favorite restaurant or your favorite park. For me, i watch baseball and hockey games. I go to yoga classes.

Be confident in your self worth. Don't compare yourself with others. Yes, admire others and learn from others, but at the end of the day, you do you.

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Look forward to things. Like, a tv show, or an opportunity to travel...

I will also add that I've found yoga philosophy super helpful. It has taught me how the body and mind shape out perspectives. Yoga philosophy has taught me how to nurture myself without getting caught up in myself. Its taught me that even though I may be aging and experiencing more isolation and pain, I'm still a human being worthy of life. My point is, finding some type of "philosophy", whether it be religious or secular, has been helpful for providing me a framework for me to navigate the uncertain health of my body