It's no secret that I have a shoulder issue. It worries me still sometimes that it still hurts. I've read that any tendon injury can take a rather long time to heal fully. I'm also fairly impatient at times. Which makes for a bad combination. It tends to put me into an irate state of mind when it starts aching and I'm unable to do certain things. When I was first dealing with the limitations set by it, I had a hard time buttoning my own jeans. I just kept thinking “When with this just stop hurting?!” At times, I just wanted to give up on everything because I was just so damn frustrated.
Giving up isn't the answer, not in the least. I've dealt with multiple doctors with an array of different pain-related issues, one issue is chronic. I think the best advice was just to carry on with my activities as usual. Sitting around isn't going to make it any better. Movement is. While I was in the waiting room at an appointment recently, I even saw the hospital advertising their own tai chi classes.
Chronic back pain was part of the reason I wanted to start doing a martial art. I considered Tai Chi before, but I wasn't that impressed with the slow movement. Don't get me wrong, it's great in it's own right, I just would have gotten bored easily. I found Aikido, and from day one, I've been telling myself “Don't quit, don't give up.” Sometimes, the pain is momentary, other times, it'll last. It's frustrating, and difficult, however, I've realized that Aikido can help with this pain.
There are other frustrations that arise while on the mat, but you've just gotta swallow it up, and just train. That's what we're all there for. I know everyone has bad days, and it's hard to put that away some days when you step onto the mat, but if you let go of what's bothering you, and just train, usually that frustration and anger will fade and your day becomes better.
I think that's one of the most important lessons of all in Aikido, is to work through your frustrations, rather than give up on what is frustrating you. Giving up is never an option.
Giving up isn't the answer, not in the least. I've dealt with multiple doctors with an array of different pain-related issues, one issue is chronic. I think the best advice was just to carry on with my activities as usual. Sitting around isn't going to make it any better. Movement is. While I was in the waiting room at an appointment recently, I even saw the hospital advertising their own tai chi classes.
Chronic back pain was part of the reason I wanted to start doing a martial art. I considered Tai Chi before, but I wasn't that impressed with the slow movement. Don't get me wrong, it's great in it's own right, I just would have gotten bored easily. I found Aikido, and from day one, I've been telling myself “Don't quit, don't give up.” Sometimes, the pain is momentary, other times, it'll last. It's frustrating, and difficult, however, I've realized that Aikido can help with this pain.
There are other frustrations that arise while on the mat, but you've just gotta swallow it up, and just train. That's what we're all there for. I know everyone has bad days, and it's hard to put that away some days when you step onto the mat, but if you let go of what's bothering you, and just train, usually that frustration and anger will fade and your day becomes better.
I think that's one of the most important lessons of all in Aikido, is to work through your frustrations, rather than give up on what is frustrating you. Giving up is never an option.