Three years after the accident I became a police officer and after a few months of wearing the bullet proof vest and utility belt (gun, radio, double cuffs, flashlight, taser, and double mags), I started to get some back pain. I continued working out with weights and running but the pain was still there. In 2008 I was introduced to crossfit and my fitness greatly improved and I leaned out a ton! I never felt better until December of 2009 when my back gave out and I was lying on the floor for weeks watching TV at home.
Once again, I waited a few weeks and tried to workout again, but a few weeks didn't heal me. I ended up waiting a few months before I got back into the box. I started crossfitting again and everything was great for a few months, and then.... my back tweaked again. This was super frustrating, so I finally went to a Back Specialist. I was told I had tight hip flexors which were pulling my lower back. I was given a bunch of stretches to do 2x/day, which I did, and miraculously the pain went away. I was good for roughly a year with no major tweaks and doing almost all my crossfit wods RX, until May 19, 2013...
On May 19, 2013 I finished up a meeting at the gym and only had 1 1/2 hours to workout and shower before my patrol shift at 1600. I remember doing a quick 400 m run and then picking up a light kettle bell (35 lbs) and started doing a few swings. On my third swing I felt a crazy sharp pain go from my tailbone right up my spine, as if I got struck with lighting, and before I knew it I was lying on the ground. Nobody else was in the gym with me, I couldn't move, and my cell phone was roughly 30 feet away from me. After a long 25 minutes someone came into the gym and was able to give me my phone. I called the wife and she came to carry her immobile husband out of the gym. This was by far the worst back injury I had ever suffered, so I knew I had to get a MRI to finally tell me what the fu&% was going on with my back. The MRI confirmed I had a bulging discs (L4/L5 and S1).
So what now I asked? I was told to rest and do PT 2-3x's/week for 8 weeks, and then I could slowly get back into the gym. Well, I did exactly what the doctor said to do but I decided to add one more element to my recovery....BIKRAM YOGA.
YOGA Christian?? Yes, Yoga guys! This is the key to longevity my brothers and sisters! Not only do we carry 25-30 lbs tightly strapped to our waists but we are mostly sitting with this crap on which is compressing our spines! No es bueno!! Add the fact that most of us have to work doubles and details to pay the bills we're wearing this shit for 12-16 hours a day! Before I got injured I though Yoga was for chicks, yes I admit that, but I was dead wrong!! Everyone should be doing it! No, I do not wear the tight black banana hammock shorts and I haven't farted yet either... Actually, that was my biggest fear. No, not me farting but rather hearing someone else farting. If that happened I would be laughing uncontrollably like I did in Mrs. MacGrath's fourth grade class when I or someone else would fart...hehehe, but nobody has farted yet, that I know of.
I have only practiced Bikram Yoga (hot yoga) at Bikram Yoga Natick - Maria McBride. I enjoy the heat because it helps loosen up the muscles for the 90 min session. I also got a bit nervous before my first class that I would not be able to breathe in that heat, but it wasn't as bad as I anticipated. If you live in Natick or close by I highly encourage you to try Bikram Yoga Natick! Here are the reasons why we should all be practicing Bikram Yoga:
Increased room temperature correlates with improved physical performance of the body. Specifically, blood vessels dialate and tissue expands improving blood flow and distribution of oxygen throughout the body. This creates an overall sense of well being. Additionally, other athletes have adopted the heat as a part of their training routine similar to the way some athletes practice at mile high altitudes to improve their ability to absorb oxygen.[21] Furthermore, Some sportsmen and professional dancers claim to prefer Bikram Yoga, because proponents argue it has inju
Common suggested benefits may include weight loss, enhanced strength, increased flexibility, improved posture, mental clarity, a balanced blood pressure and proper metabolism, improved ability to ry-healing, emotion-strengthening, toxin-flushing, weight-managing, and career-extending effects.[22]concentrate.[citation needed]. Other benefits include the flushing of toxins and impurities from the body through hard work and sweat[23] and specific poses can help clean out the veins and arteries.[24]
Take control of your health today and for the future!
Stay safe my brothers and sisters!
C
