Naturally Yoga Poses Helped Her Reconnect With Herself
March 12th, 2007 by Anne
Publication: Pioneer Press
Author: Rhoda Fukushima
Date: March 12, 2007
When Dianne Jandt was 7, she contracted polio. It left her right leg paralyzed. Many years later as an adult, she began to experience post-polio syndrome, which she likens to “superadvanced aging.” It made walking harder and left her more tired. Jandt, now 61 and from Apple Valley, also had arthritis and depression. Her work as an accountant started to suffer.
“We all live in this marvelous place called ‘denial.’ It got to the point where I finally had to quit working. It was hard.
“My weight started going up because I wasn’t as active. In 2005, I had gastric bypass. That went fabulous. I lost more than 80 pounds. I knew I needed to do some type of activity afterward.
“I decided to try yoga. It was a chair yoga class at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. It was my first experience with yoga. (Instructor) Megan (Hatch) wanted to know specifically what your problems were so you didn’t aggravate them.
“She gives you the option of standing up or sitting down in a chair and doing the movements. I can stand and do a little bit of walking with a cane, but I’m mainly in a wheelchair. For the first several months, I did everything in the chair.
“My right leg is paralyzed. Megan suggested rather than doing nothing I could visualize my leg doing the movement.
“Since my leg has been paralyzed, it has been there but not really. It has been a burden. I visualized my leg straightening out, my foot moving. That helped me get more connected with the leg.
“For the first few months, I did everything in the chair. One day, I tried standing. There is always a chair in front of you to hold onto.
“This past summer, I was feeling really connected with the tree posture. Megan suggested I do it outside. I went to the (Minnesota) Landscape Arboretum. I went to this one spot that overlooks a whole bunch of apple trees and maple trees. It was the perfect place.
“I got out of my wheelchair, stood behind it and did my tree pose. It was just so fantastic. I love the tree pose. I also love nature. I’m getting out into nature more. I also love the sun pose, where you make a circle (with your arms) that represents the sun. I also love the mountain pose, which you can do sitting down or standing up (bringing your arms into a V-shape).
“Yoga helps me be more connected with my body. It’s the combination of physical and spiritual connection.
“I go to yoga once a week. I’m finding out I can do things.
“I’m definitely walking more and doing a little more than I had been doing before. With the breathing exercises I’ve learned, I’m able to become calmer and draw on the strength inside of me.”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
