The Harsh Reality of Scoliosis
By Theresa Shay
When someone steps into the Scoliosis Wellness Journey, they are often surprised to realize how many places in their body have been compromised by their curvy, twisted spine. One shoulder is lower. One hip juts forward. One side of the ribcage pokes out. The head tilts. A rib hump rises in the back.
Asymmetry, everywhere you are willing to look.
I stand in front of my mirror and stick out my tongue. Yes, even my tongue appears to have scoliosis. Amazing what you see when you look closely.
The student new to addressing their curves often cannot see their asymmetry as easily as they can see it in another. The illusion of narrow-minded thinking with its tilt toward firm preferences means they see things not as they are but as they want them to be. To meet what is actually present, they must be willing to give “a long, loving look at the real.” This is how Jesuit theologian Walter Burghardt described contemplation.
This invitation is a perfect starting point for people interested in engaging with their scoliosis treatment.
As I show students how to see with fresh eyes, their asymmetries begin to take shape in the mind. The student steps away from the mirror.
“I didn’t realize how contorted I am.”
“I’m a mess.”
“I never noticed how bad it was.”
“This is depressing.”
I hear their words. The Telling Lump forms in my throat. I was once in that harsh place. I wish I could spare them the pain and catapult them into contentment, knowledge, empowerment, energy, and delight. It will come, I am sure, but it will take time. In their reactions, I recognize the challenges I unconsciously faced as a young girl. I am amazed at where I stand now.
I offer the student another take, a softer perspective, new words. “Not contorted. Asymmetric.”
They are willing to agree to this. I have named reality minus the judgement. Inside myself a blessing for them moves silently through: A transformation is heading your way. Stay with it – the rewards are so great.
Witnessing someone react harshly to the reality of their scoliosis helps me clear away yet another bit of the once-impenetrable wall I cemented against my body as a teenager. The wall went up quickly as I disconnected from my rigid torso being squeezed tight in a back brace. For years my awareness remained on my side of the wall as I went about my cerebral life and did as little with my body as possible.
Thankfully, the wisdom of TriYoga along with my effort over the past three decades has brought most of that wall down. When I bear witness to the harshness a mind can offer when compassion would go so much further, I watch the dust from that old wall rise, visible against the blazing light. Perhaps these moments of compassion for my fellow journeyer are how I am becoming clearer, brighter, and more connected to my own reality.
There are many challenges, physical and mental, when you learn that your central pillar has decided to wander off instead of supporting you at center.
But the harsh reality of scoliosis is not the reality at all.
The reality of scoliosis, simply put, is the recognition that you are asymmetric and that you can do something about it with the right knowledge.
May you who are beginning a journey be inspired to give a long, loving look at the real. The knowledge you gain will be the wisdom you need to meet the challenge you have been given.
Theresa Shay is the founding director of TriYoga of Central Pennsylvania, where she teaches weekly yoga and meditation online and trains others to teach TriYoga®. Each week, she shares wisdom cultivated from decades of TriYoga study and practice.
Learn more about her here. Theresa can be reached at Theresa@PennsylvaniaYoga.com. Find her on Instagram @theresa_of_triyoga for more inspiration and light.