What Our Members Have to Say

“After 3 major vehicle accidents (none my fault) the worst one occurred at age 34. It left me with my right knee shattered in a dozen pieces, a severed patella tendon which was reattached, my thigh broken in 5 places, my ankle broken , and my right arm snapped in half. Thankfully, they took a chance on piecing things back together with 32 pins and 4 plates instead of amputating. After several operations, I was given the ok to relearn how to walk after 2 years. My leg had atrophied so it was another few years before I could actually take a decent short walk anywhere. Fast forward to age 67, when my good knee finally called it quits from taking on extra work, and had to be replaced, but that’s whole other story.

The bottom line is that last year I finally felt ready to join the YMCA at age 69, to go to the next level. My body was so stiff from lack of really moving, that all movements were uncomfortable. I would grunt and groan as I moved about. My mind felt like it had sludge in it from not having good daily circulation.

The phenomenal yoga teachers at the Y were so welcoming, and good at what they do, that I didn’t feel awkward with my movements and slowness. Many other students deal some kind of physical issue, so I was not alone. We are reminded by our teachers that if any of the movements are unattainable, then we are to modify, modify, modify our movements. And they teach us how to do that.

I’m 70 years old this year, and I am ecstatic as now I can move smoothly again, through yoga, although I’m still a beat or two slower. I’ll always have some pain and a little vertigo, but that’s ok. A surprise bonus is that the sludge has moved out of my brain and I can think quicker now. A while back a friend asked how I can get out and do the things I do with my prior injuries. I responded that I go do what I want, and take the pain I still have with me. Now that’s my daily mantra. And thanks to YMCA, I am accomplishing just that.

Get out, join the Y and live your life. And always remember, ice is your friend :)”