Below is a letter written by one of our members at the Center for Adults Living Well @ the Y. She describes her journey in our program with one of our beloved instructors Peggy Levine. Peggy teaches our Balance & Strength class effecting the lives of so many in our center, and this member wanted to share her story. Thank you for all that you do Peggy!
January 20, 2014
"You've probably heard the joke,
“How do you get to Carnegie Hall” and the answer is “practice, practice,
practice.” Well, I’m here to tell you
that’s not a joke, it’s a fact and it applies to everything. Whatever you want, whatever you hope to
accomplish, you have to work to get it.
It doesn't matter if it’s big or small.
If it’s important to you, it’s important to you.
Sometimes we do nothing making
the assumption that, given time, things will fall into our lap and all will be
well. Other times we strike out and go
in many directions only to discover we’re getting nowhere except in making
ourselves nuts. It’s usually at this
point when we realize that moving steadily in the direction of our goal is what
is going to reap the benefits we desire.
And that’s what happened to me.
Almost two
years ago, I injured my lower back and legs.
Over time and with the help of a very good chiropractor, I was able to
get around. But just getting around was
not my goal. Walking the way I wanted to
walk was my goal.
So in 2013, after hearing the
name Peggy Levine enough times to realize it might be in my best interest to check out
her class, I did. It didn't take past
the first class for me to realize Peggy knew her stuff and she knew it
well. Over time, I noticed things were
happening. Naturally, when one sees
positive results, what do they do? They
keep doing what’s bringing those positive results. So twice a week, I walked into Peggy’s class
knowing somehow that I was in the right place.
Sometimes an exercise was challenging for me but I knew doing it would
prove beneficial and Peggy, in her compassion, would say “I know this is hard
for you.” I always appreciated that
although I probably didn't say it.
Usually when one struggles to
arrive at a certain point, there are quantum leaps and/or breakthroughs. On January 17, 2014, I experienced one of
these. With Peggy’s help in doing a
particular exercise correctly, I realized something big had occurred. There was an immediate shift in my
condition. I could bend my right knee
again further than for many months and with no pain and – drum roll please – my
right leg felt stronger and I was able to walk like a person who didn't have to
rely on poles as much.
Now this might not sound like a
lot to some people but it was a lot to me as I have been struggling with this
conditions for way too long as far as I was concerned and having this happen was
a remarkable experience for me. I was
struggling between bouts of frustration and depression.
I want you to know that I am firm
believer that we are all led to our good by a benevolent Spirit when are open
to receiving it and, in that regard, I truly believe I was led to this
Center. I mean, I moved directly across
the street. Really? How could one question such things?
So I want to thank the Center for
Adults Living Well @ the Y for their incredible programs and to the person who
had the wisdom and foresight to bring Peggy into its operation.
And to Peggy, “Thank you my
friend. You are the best.”
In gratitude, I thank you all
from the bottom of my heart. This means
more to me that you will ever know or could ever imagine."
- Marian
