He was an elderly gentleman. With gray hair and a gentle Indian accent peppered with a few British sounding "darrrrlings". I was giddy with excitement to have finally landed in London bound for the London Yoga Show in October of 2011. I found my way to the small family owned and run hotel in the center of London, my home for two days until a friends flat became available for the remainder of my stay. The hotel was small, clean and a friendly place recommended by a friend of the owner, so I was expected. But what was unexpected was that this unassuming but elegant man would through untrained hands and unplanned circumstances heal a chronic lower back pain that was as familiar as my last name.
It was long and difficult and always present.
Upon my arrival, complaining about the long flight and big luggage and it's affect on my back Dave G., asked me to step over and face the wall with arms up. Well if it's my first mugging in London, I thought, at least it's inside a warm lobby. With the front desk attendant watching us with mild disinterest as if this has been a familiar plank walk for other guests, Dave started to work on my back. I don't recall what he did but once he finished massaging my arms, the first thing I noticed was that my hips could swivel. Something had unlocked. I was grateful. With a namaskaram and a smile I went off to my room which true to form for Europe was quite a charming little shoebox. Comfortable and well furnished as it was, it was literally a room with bed a nightstand and a door opening right up to both!
Dave invited me for tea and with so much Love proceeded to tell me the story of his spiritual transformation at the hands of his guru whose life size picture hung above the desk in the front lobby and was the source of plenty of conversation in the cozy chairs that lined the opposite windows. Dave confided that he had led a less than perfect life before the events that eventually led to his personal transformation. His was a spiritual journey of awakening that was swift and complete. And with time he found that he was able to help ease people's pain regardless the form, working intuitively and with mantra rather than any formal training.
These days rather than indulging in the vices of the past that came with running successful businesses and living in a few countries he now lived a simple and happy life running the hotel with his family (his son is a yoga teacher) and in "the greatest city in the world", London. This is where he also prepares meals for the homeless. Twice a week, every week, he and a small group organize a feeding of the poor and needy in central London. I accompanied him my first night, giving out the bananas. They prepared heaping hot meals and fed as many people as would line up. And there were plenty.
The next day, after I expressed my thanks for the improvement in my lower back, Dave said there was still more to be done. This time as I was laying down, the 73 year old gentleman started to prod and pinch my back to such an extent and with such strength that I was actually screaming out with pain only to hear his "so sorry my darrrling" apologies.
And so it was. Painful. And brief. Maybe 15 minutes. And permanent. And life changing.
Today is exactly 6 months since my two day stay with Dave and family in London. Two brief days. A decade of chronic back pain gone. Pain that had kept me in self proclaimed "old lady" yoga asana mode has transformed me into arm balances and tripod headstand queen:) I often pause to reflect on how it is possible to live life completely pain free.
The implications are so great. The effects so vast. It affects ever aspect of ones existence. It is a new freedom. A new beginning. A gift.
And it is testimony that once the time is right and the instrument is provided and we are ready true and lasting healing is not only possible but very real.
With infinite gratitude and in deep reverence.
Thank you for being a part of the girl skirt mission journey.
Warm and Loving Salutations,
Yours,
Milijana
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