If you see me moving around with a cane it is because I have burnt my foot and, while it is healing well, wearing footwear is now an uncomfortable experience. I can comfortably walk around barefoot but I do need to put my foot up quite a bit to allow for healing.

To answer a few questions that people have had:

Q. When did you burn your foot?

A. The morning of Wednesday 26th June, 2024. Incidentally the 3rd anniversary of my father-in-law's passing.

Q. How did you burn your foot?

A. Short people problems while cooking. Ergonomic issues. Busy mind, soft heart.

Q. What did you burn your foot with?

A. Sugar (I was burning sugar for pelau).

Q. How bad is the burn?

A. It's a full thickness burn.

Q. Are you in pain?

A. At times, not at all during the first week as the body might have been in shock and also nerves were most likely sizzled. I started feeling pain halfway through the second week and continuing. It’s not a continuous pain, the pain comes and goes, and is definitely more present if I stand for long periods of time.

Q. Are you still teaching?

A. Mostly yes. In my personal practice there are things I physically cannot do while healing and also cannot demonstrate while in class. However, I can direct and adjust both myself and clients as needed. I have limited my time a bit so that I can focus on healing but I am still teaching.

I am… observing the experience

I consider myself very lucky in terms of health - I can count on one hand the amount of serious issues I’ve had (this burn included). In my memory are also the words of my mother who, for every bout of cancer, would say she would gladly take on all the drama of it so that her children and nieces and nephews would not have to experience a serious illness. We each have our own karma to manage but we are also carried by the prayers of those who came before us.

My burn is the first open wound I have had to manage and, while I have done small courses on first aid and wound management, it is an experience to take care of it myself. It is interesting to see the changes day to day as my body builds itself back up. I am trying to balance rest and work, to be aware of the nourishment that is needed and to observe what works best for my own body.

I am thankful for those who encourage me to rest as I know I have the tendency to compartmentalise my discomfort and do what I believe I need to be doing. As I get older I am much more able to accept and acknowledge the need for rest and how powerful rest is when it comes to healing.

Life continues on. Those who have seen my burn are interested in what it will look like when healed. I am curious about that as well.

I hope that you are well!

Renee Arundhati