How Breathing Can Kill You
I just finished reading that NY Times article, How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body. And I’ve got something to stay, so step aside—as my Southern Friends say, I’m bout to let a bitch know.
When I began running, people warned me vehemently against it. Stated in different ways, it all boiled down to one message: fat people don’t/shouldn’t/can’t run. It will ruin your knees, dislocate your hip, etc. So I listened, and stopped running for a while, petrified I’d be limping or using a cane in my 40s.
Then I started doing dance classes and yes, even the zumba. I was told that those methods of exercise were insufficient, even though I was pouring sweat and jumping around more than anyone else in the class, apparently, it wasn’t going to cut it in order to lose weight.
And so, in November, I began doing yoga. I started to become leaner, more muscular and now this article comes out and I have people coming out of the woodwork telling me that I’m going to ruin my back by doing yoga.
So what do you people want me to do? Become a competitive eater? Stop being fit? Do you think it would be ok if I took up knitting or do I risk carpel tunnel?
Here it is: I am a runner. I run 12-13 minute miles by running 2 minutes and walking 1. If I finish a half marathon in 3 hours, it will be a blessing, but I’m doing it and I’m doing it MY WAY. If you think that doesn’t make me a runner, then I need to stop listening to you, because I am. Same goes for the yoga—I have no aspirations of doing full crow, headstand or any of that stuff any time soon if ever. And I’m doing the zumba—burning shit tons of calories and girl, I look FINE.
We need to listen to our bodies, and as I become more fit, I realize that it isn’t about these EXTREME results—it’s about consistency and being able to perform to your maximum potential. So guess what, I’m not listening to you now, because I’m too busy listening to my own body.
