Beginning

[elizabeth]

I ordered Warrior Wellness last night.

I'm timid about beginning, but that doesn't predict anything. Well, maybe it predicts choosing between (1)solitary avoidance and (2) seeking appropriate support.

I'm fascinated by finger circles, particularly with the lack of capacity in my left ring finger. It is improving, though--at first it could only go *up* and *down* but now its "circle" is at least a triangle. LOL

I've been eating my meals while reading posts and missing the *end* of my meals by at least 75 posts. I'm planning to be more disciplined after I watch my WW video.

Meanwhile, I am entertained by finger circles about 3 times a day, and I add other joint circles almost once each day now. I'm mostly timid about thoracic circles and hip circles. Neck circles make me dizzy for a short
time.

Posting here makes me want to read Connie's instructions and maybe even follow them? LOL

elizabeth

[elizabeth]

I printed out the 5/30/04 post "Getting Started With Your CST Wellness Program" and pages 5-15 of Connie's introduction handbook and assembled them with my Warrior Wellness order confirmation and blank composition paper in a report cover.

I did 5 minutes of joint circles.

I copied the headings for a logbook entry and filled in entries for this Day 1.

I had already forgotten most sensations/feelings/thoughts.

6/4/04 after breakfast / 5 minutes / in my chair at this computer / sluggish

Joint Circles: fingers / wrists / elbows / shoulders / arms / thoracic / neck
10 circles each direction each joint

Rest? I was supposed to include rest? Oh. Next time then.

RPE - 1
RT - 5
RPD - 1

Crepitation: neck and fingers of left hand
Thoughts: Maybe I can focus. Maybe even for 30 seconds. I'll improve with practice.

[Connie Brown]

Great start Elizabeth. Isn't it amazing what we learn immediately.
I hear you on forgetting sensations. I did that last week from forgetting to write it down.

"The most faded ink is better than the clearest memory" -

[elizabeth]

I'll be away from home overnight, so one variable will change. Let's see if I achieve consistency anyway.

[Scott Sonnon]

Elizabeth,

Welcome aboard. Good launch.

Reframe pelvic circles to be hula-hoop motions sans the equipment.

Exhale through the neck circles and keep your eyes on one point on the wall (make it half way through the motion so you can keep track of it.) Keep decreasing the velocity of the movement until dizziness stops.

[rbibbs]

Welcome Elizabeth.

Crepitation (little pops, clicks, clunks associated with movement that don't produce pain?) can probably be considered 'normal'. (My 'authority' for saying this is that it's observable in healthy, active teenagers with no history of injury and no articulatory deficit.) You may be able to make the same motions without the crepitation, by not trying as hard.

One source of crepitation is residual tension. You're familiar with the terms "flexion" and "extension"... well say a motion called for a flexion, but your neurology isn't real clear on which muscle you want tensed, so it tenses them all, including the extensor whose relaxation is a prerequisite for the flexion you're attempting. The extensor tendon can make a little 'clunk' as it jump-skips over other structures under tension.

As long as no pain is associated with the sound, you can disregard crepitation, or explore your state of relaxation and see if you can minimize the tendency.

There's some normal structural/neurological basis for the reluctance of the ring finger to articulate independent of its neighbors. Everyone experiences this to an extent; don't let it bother you.

We have 3 systems of balance... visual, where the horizon is... the inner-ear balance organ... and our overall kinesthetic sense. 'Dizzyness' results when data from these systems seems to conflict. The full upper-body circles from WW intermediate make me dizzy, but like yours it fades quickly. Shoulder-rolls (when you get there) made me very dizzy at first (to the point of threatening containment of stomach contents) but not at all any more. You'll acclimate. Fixing your gaze on a stationary point as Scott suggests, removes random balance data from the visual system. If you have a mirror available when you're doing this, you can look yourself in the eye. It will also help your exercises where you are balancing on one leg.

(Sorry about the relative information density... it's helpful to some and clutter to others... and I don't know which you are. Pick off what's helpful, and chuck the rest.)

[elizabeth]

Hey, I LIKE this feedback and information!

I caught myself closing my eyes while doing those neck circles--LOL--kinda makes sense that that made me dizzy, eh?

The hula hoop idea is perfect. It brings the movement into the realm of play and away from the need to be correct in order to avoid injury (past programming from a trainer at a gym).

I liked all that detail about the crepitus. I was noticing the choice between less tension and more tension. That was great information. Very useful.

I arrived at my destination and did joint circles after supper. I was too distracted at breakfast and lunch to remember, but I can start again after supper tonight.

I'm excited! Having such outstanding feedback makes this wonderful fun that I'm learning to trust.

Thank you all. You're fabulous! :D

elizabeth

[elizabeth]

Now that I have the Warrior Wellness videos, I have a clearer understanding of the movements. Because I am using the Beginner tape, I see that I don't have to worry about those thoracic circles, just move the chest in 2 directions. Gosh, I can do that! :)

The Beginner tape is much easier than what I saw at Radiant Ranch. I have excellent range of motion. I just don't breathe properly.....and I don't have good balance.....and I don't stay focused....and I need more practice! LOL

Confession:
I have a reducible inguinal hernia between my right pelvic bone and my pubic bone. I choose not to have surgery. It is halfway healed.

I protect (baby) this hernia while doing the WW tape exercises. :oops:

I also have a very old right ankle injury and I protect that too. So, I don't do everything Scott does at the end of the video. :oops:
And I plan to do everything soon.

This was my first day with the video.