June 18, 2009
William “Bill” Froelich believed in me before I knew what I was going to do. I met Bill at a five-day retreat, where there were designated silent periods: during meals, the transition time between sessions and evenings through to dawn. These were the windows of space to meditate, observe, bring awareness to the simple acts of breathing, walking. Walking at that time, however, was no simple act. It was before my diagnosis but well after symptoms had appeared. I was not on any meds. My pace was slow; my fears – of falling, of what was happening in my body – were high. Each step took all of my attention as I focused on the movement and the dips in the ground beneath me. When I learned that walking meditation involves just that, I found it oddly delightful to be surrounded by so many people taking as much effort to […]
June 12, 2009
I’ve been running. Not running around or running errands, simply running. The loops are short — a mile — and through the woods. This has double advantage of softer ground and no witnesses. I won’t be trying out for a marathon anytime soon. But that’s okay. I’m not training for a race, unless the battle to stay ahead of this disease counts. I don’t need to know if I’m bettering my time with each jaunt. What’s so wonderfully surprising – besides the fact that I can actually, physically, run – is how centering it is. It’s as though I’m moving through an unnamed asana, the Deer Flow or the Winged Warrior. Some primordial sense kicks in as I’m making my way along paths of old leaves and pine needles. I feel graceful and strong while I’m out there – hardly like a gimp at all. That runner’s high is likely […]
June 3, 2009
I’ve signed up – correction: We’ve signed up. Captain Papa, me, and a turbo-charged seven-year-old as the rear stoker are riding in the New England Parkinson’s Ride in Old Orchard Beach in September. “Fred” is the name my son dubbed the triple – our three-seater bicycle that lets the family travel together. And together we will be for 50 miles, raising awareness and raising funds for the Michael J Fox Foundation, where 100% of the proceeds go to finding treatments and a cure. I love cycling. I love that studies have shown that tandem riding benefits people with PD. I love Maine in September. I love that I can do something to contribute to the MJFox Foundation. But most of all, I love that Team Mama is doing this together as a family, not for me but with me. http://www.limyoga.com/parkinsons_ride.html for more info or to make a pledge.