NorrinRadd

Hello! Where are you doing your training, if I may ask? And how do you like it there? My cousin in Montreal is looking around for a good DZ to learn at...any insight would be valuable :) Why drive myself crazy trying to be normal, when I am already at crazy?

In deep relaxation/hypnosis therapy, the way you fully relax is by starting at your feet. You clench your toes for a second or two, then relax them completely. Then you work your way up your legs, clenching the muscles, then relaxing them. Then into your body, and out your arms. Do your face and jaws, too....you'd be amazed at how much tension they face can hang on to. You could do a similar exercise on the flight up. Edit: Also remember to BREATHE. Breath with the belly as well as the lungs. Breathing, aside from being something you need to do to live, helps loosen up all the chest and abdominal muscles that clench up in times of anxiety and stress. Especially nice, deep breaths. Why drive myself crazy trying to be normal, when I am already at crazy?

Thanks! I totally agree. Since going to my PT, I have seen the most improvement. My PT actually knows more about my condition than my GP! And I have a pretty good physiotherapist. Definitely sticking with her, doing the exercises and stretches she assigns me. I am very happy with her. I also stand now more than I sit... sitting puts MORE stress on the spine than standing. Makes the legs stronger, too. Humans were not evolved to be sitting all day, every day, like most North Americans do (myself included, though not anymore). Why drive myself crazy trying to be normal, when I am already at crazy?

I have a fear of heights. I challenge it every chance I get. I have gotten a lot better... there was a time when I couldn't LOOK at a photo of someone standing on a cliff or a tall building without getting the heebie jeebies. I am a LOT better now, but I still get a trigger on tall buildings and balconies. My fear of heights was not once triggered the whole time I went for my first tandem. Not in flying up, not in jumping out, nor under canopy, not even in landing. Why drive myself crazy trying to be normal, when I am already at crazy?

Awesome! Nicely done :D Why drive myself crazy trying to be normal, when I am already at crazy?

Thanks, Skymama! :) I shall indeed do that! Why drive myself crazy trying to be normal, when I am already at crazy?

Where abouts in Australia are you? Why drive myself crazy trying to be normal, when I am already at crazy?

Well, I am very new to the sport myself, and don't have a lot of basis for comparison, but in Ontario I have been to Skydive Burnaby, which is about a 2 hour drive from Toronto, very close to Niagara Falls, and I loved it there! Why drive myself crazy trying to be normal, when I am already at crazy?

Hi there! Just saying my hellos. My skydiving experience is almost nil. I have one tandem under my belt. But like many of you, I imagine, that one time was enough to give me the bug to want more. So this summer, starting in July, I will be starting with my AFF (PFF in Canada) at Skydive Burnaby. Anyhoo.. that's about it for now, I suppose. A pleasure to meet you all! Why drive myself crazy trying to be normal, when I am already at crazy?

I wish I had access to an inversion table. For now, I have taken up swimming as my primary form of exercise. After I have done all my laps, I hang out in a corner of the pool and let my legs hang in the water in the deep end. It is a nice, relaxing way to let my spine elongate and decompress. Why drive myself crazy trying to be normal, when I am already at crazy?

I quite agree! I am working very closely with my doctor and physiotherapist on this issue, and while I am not seeking medical opinions on this forum, neither my pt nor my md are skydivers. So any information I can get from experienced skydivers about skydiving that can help my.pt and md make their medical assesments helps out greatly! Thanks for the info :) Why drive myself crazy trying to be normal, when I am already at crazy?

Hello! My first post here. Woo! I am planning a date for a second tandem jump, and the initiation of my PFF (AFF) training. I am also recovering from a bulged disc injury in my lower back. I received the injury several months ago, and with careful treatment through physio, nutrition, being nice to it, etc, I am doing quite well with it! But I would like to know if anyone can help me with advice on this. Firstly, how is the snatch force distributed through the harness? The first time I went up, I was far too excited to make detailed notes about that. If most of it is under the arms, then that becomes traction, and my back is fine. If, however, most of it is distributed to the leg slings, then that becomes compression, which could make my injury worse, depending on how much force there is. Secondly, has anyone else dealt with this sort of injury... lumbar disc bulge... and has experience to relate it to the skydiving sport? I appreciate any help you can offer...thanks! Why drive myself crazy trying to be normal, when I am already at crazy?

First time jump. Did my tandem with Rick. He was very patient, experienced, and friendly. Definitely recommend it here for any first timers.