i've been developing my own rhyme and reason when it comes to physio post-mastectomy. the first thing i was drawn to do got its inspiration from something i heard about courtesy dr. stephen sinatra, the famed cardiologist and gestalt therapist, who discussed the physical relationship between the arms and the heart, for they share a common ancestor at the level of embryologic tissue... in particular he suggested that the reason orchestra conductors feature at the top of many longevity lists is that they routinely make big, expressive, arcing movements with the arms which tonify the heart and express emotion. there's also a relationship between the body language of the arms and well-being... for its with the arms that we reach out, that we bring another in close for an embrace, or keep people away with self-protective crossing of arms or stay-away gesturing. we also use the arms and hands as expressive point and counterpoint to the things we say, so they seem an intuitive instrument of personal EQ potential.
as soon as i came to after surgery i felt the need to start moving my arms in circles... small, big and in between. obviously my range of moment was compromised on the affected side, but this has been short-lived... before the first month anniversary i had full range of movement back, albeit with sensation and some tightness.
over time i've found that working in open space, even with mirrors available, was really not giving me all that i needed in terms of feedback. i found my best experience on the ground. getting down onto my mat and assuming a neutral SI joint position on my back with feet on the ground just a short distance from the gluteus. turning my hands to face up so that the back of the hands could skirt along the floor i would begin with arms down by my side and slowly move them out and up to come to rest overhead as you would when making snow angels, but without letting the back of the hands, especially on the affected side, leave contact with the ground. this allowed me to see instantly where i was having difficultly and where i needed to slow down even more and wait for the tissues to softly open and resume their natural arc and movement potentials. gravity also was able to play a part when this opening could not be accomplished fully. simply lying there with arms outstretched as they were able, even when not at first in contact with the ground, was enormously satisfying as gravity is slow and gentle and persistent. now that i have more freedom of movement and the effect of gravity is less, i ask for a partner to put gentle pressure on the balls of my shoulders with their hands, pressing down and then slightly upward, in order to more effectively open the fascia across the collarbones and chest.
getting feedback from a fixed surface has become something i really love and find nourishing in a way i never thought i would. i've even started doing some asana work on the bare floor, really letting myself sink down to the hard welcome beneath me as a tool of awareness. where i find pain, i wait for it to soften and soften more.
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