Body (1) or: like a Japanese ham sandwich*

[radfrac_archive]

Crossing campus to meet S. on Thursday, before the reading, I felt a new sensation consolidate itself.

As though someone had set one hand against the flat of each hip, and one against the basin of each shoulder -- I know that adds to four hands, so either this is two people or one alien insect -- and was pushing back against me steadily as I walked.

I thought: oh, that's right. This is going to be difficult.

Not just conceptually intriguing and spiritually fruitful. Hard.

So of course I went to Hot Yoga with the ex-co-conspirator. Yesterday. Absolutely excellent. Afterwards I felt stronger and more able than in months. (I admit that when I first saw the neon display for Bikram's Hot Yoga I thought it must be an exceptionally boldly-advertised massage parlour or bathhouse.)

It was tricky. Some of the poses, particularly triangle, invoke the tremor in my right leg. Anything where the foot is tensed becomes problematic. It isn't just putting weight on it -- I'm actually more able to lock the right leg than the left.

Other stretches invoked a spasm in my right hand, the fingers curling rapidly towards the palm. It felt fairly similar to the foot tremor, though it wasn't necessarily related to an arm or shoulder stretch so much, I think, as to a powerful stretch elsewhere in the body. It was also of shorter duration. The leg tremor will last as long as the foot remains flexed. As I may have demonstrated to you, I can grip the leg with both hands and not be able to stop the tremor, though it disappears as soon as I relax the foot.

Still, it was tremendously energizing and good for my spirits; it made me feel strong instead of weak.

* * * * * *

Now I must see if I can link Jung's Shadow to anything at all in Lacan. I have a sort of a thesis for the Le Guin paper, but I would like it to be Cleverer.

{rf}

*Catchphrase in the Hot Yoga patter.

Comments

bikram

[xcaro.livejournal.com]

Ah rats, now I wish I'd not blathered on about how uplifting I felt after the bikram classes I've attended; now I feel like I've predisposed you to feeling like this is right after doing this thing. I hope it lasts for you. The tremors and spasms are interesting - do you think it's related to this thing you're experiencing elsewhere in your body, or is it more related to the practise?

Regarding the ride to the MRI, a story about health care in the US. Remember from Sicko, people routinely enter bankruptcy or die for lack of funds to pay for medical care in this absurd country. Because we have half decent insurance, when Alex had his cataract surgery, they sent a f**king limo (a stretch, shiny, long, driven by a fella in a tux, seriously, at 9 in the morning no less) to pick him up and then take him home.

Remember of course my friend with diabetes who's already hit lifetime limits with our insurance, so, you know, it's not so great, but, yeah, sent a limo.

Re: bikram

[(Anonymous)]

I actually did not mean to post the bit about the ride. Ghastly. Stupid computer.

Heavens forfend ppl should know I'm a whiny ingrate.

Oh well. They know.

{rf}

Re: bikram

[xcaro.livejournal.com]

I'm off to bed now, really, stepping away from the itunes and the credit card, backing away slowly - but first. I think that at this juncture, a bit of healthy self interest is entirely called for. And computers make our lives better. Or at least, ensure I have job security. :) G'night then.

Re: bikram

[radiantfracture]

I didn't remember that you'd said anything about Bikram. Anyway, I really liked it, so I can't see that any harm has befallen anyone just now. Are you saying you don't like it any more?

The tremor is the key symptom of Whatever is Up with my Brain. I assume the spasm is related, as it was in my right hand and the right side seems to be where the party is going on.

About the other post: I was just being stupid. Be kind and chalk it up to nerves. It is those I am really discontent with.

{rf}