<BACK to BVBuzz

Article by Lee Walker, Natural Awakenings Magazine, Sept2009

After living with chronic pain caused by bursitis for 13 years, Maryann Duvall had given up in finding freedom from the suffering.  But a visit to her daughter’s yoga studio changed that.

Bursitis affects any of the 150 bursae, or fluid-filled sacs, which lubricate and cushion the pressure points between bones, tendons, and muscles near joints.  While bursae normally help joints move with ease, inflamed sacs can cause excruciating pain like that which plagued this Naples resident.  Incapable of performing the simplest of day-to-day activities, like shutting the trunk of her car, Duvall became frustrated after anti-inflammatory steroids provided no relief.

“I felt powerless,” says Duvall, who experienced significant loss of muscle tone and developed a limp as a result of inhibited mobility and lack of exercise.  “I felt like I was in a black hole, with no way out, and every time I tried to get back on track by doing something physical, I suffered a set back.” sighs Duvall.

On Duvall’s 60th birthday, her daughter, Kiersten Mooney, opened the Bala Vinyasa yoga studio in Naples.  Mooney issued her mother a friendly, “Come to the mat,” invitation and assured her that even a little time there could help.  In retrospect, Duvall admits, “I felt hopeless that anything would change.”

Only four months later, Duvall’s progress led Mooney to suggest that her mother enroll in a Baptiste level-one teacher training.  Duvall’s hesitation was met by her daughter’s compassion and wisdom. “I wouldn’t ask you to do anything I think you can’t do, mom,” remarked Mooney.  After a week of intense Baptiste training, Duvall experienced a total release in her left hip, which also freed her of lower back pain and sciatica problems, side effects of the bursitis.

Elated with her progress, Duvall continued to show up on the mat and later enrolled in a four-day assistant-teacher training.  Today, she not only assists the studio’s teachers during classes, but also teaches.  “The practice of yoga gave me my life back,” notes Duvall.  “When people call the studio and tell me that they are 55 and can’t do anything, I encourage them to show up on the mat and do whatever they can.”

Duvall and Mooney will offer a “55 Plus” yoga workshop in December. For more info, 239-598-1938 and BVYoga.com

pg40, Natural Awakenings Magazine, Sept2009