A Brief History of Crulse

A woman barefoot bending over picking up beach stones looking for a crulsing stone.

In 2008, I emerged from an 18-month-long psychotic episode, having hit rock bottom. Left in a state of mental and physical despair, I faced a stark reality: if I didn't take action, I was going to die.

I could no longer ignore my situation, so I embarked on a journey to find wellness. My journey had two main goals: first, to find something to improve my mental health, and second, to restore my physical health. Eventually, I realized that these two aspects are deeply interconnected.

As a former metrologist specializing in the science of measurement for the USAF, I decided to apply the same principles to myself, treating my body like a piece of equipment in need of calibration. This led to creating a practice I call critical mindfulness, where I methodically calibrate my mind and body, identifying and addressing issues to restore balance and functionality.

My journey to improve my well-being quickly became fascinating as I explored various methods. While I could effectively address my mental health and nutritional needs, I faced a significant challenge: I couldn't exercise to improve my physical health. My condition was so poor, and I couldn't understand why.

I searched extensively for an exercise program suitable for my current physical condition but found nothing. Determined, I came up with the unconventional idea to create my own exercise program. From 2008 to 2010, I dedicated myself to devising a regimen that would be effective for me.

For two years, my only form of exercise seemed to be the frustration of hitting my head against a wall in search of a solution. It wasn't until I injured my elbow that I stumbled upon the concept that would eventually become my exercise program.

It all began after I hurt my arm and immobilized it in a sling for three months. During that period, the pain spread from my injured elbow to my entire arm. When I finally decided to remove the sling, I discovered that I couldn't lift my arm over my head or straighten it. The pain was still intense.

By remaining immobile, I had only exacerbated the issue. In response, I instinctively reverted to what I used to do as a child when injured: I began gently moving around the edges of the soreness, where it felt more comfortable. Starting at my wrist, where the pain radiated to, I slowly worked my way back toward the elbow, the source of the pain.

Over the months, I gently massaged the areas where it felt good, gradually moving and rotating my arm and wrist. I worked my fingers and made movements that brought relief. I realized that if immobility had worsened the condition, then movement was the key to making it better.

I gradually worked my way back to the elbow, the source of the pain, and became quite adept at alleviating the discomfort. Eventually, I focused on the elbow itself, continuing my gentle movements and massages. It took three months to regain full extension of my arm, and a year and a half to completely eliminate the pain.

But I did it—I regained full, pain-free mobility.

During this period, I realized that if I could improve my physical health by using the same techniques I employed as a child, I could apply these methods to the rest of my body. By 2010, I had developed my own exercise program.

For the next two years, I focused on understanding and perfecting my technique. By 2011, I decided to enroll in college to study Kinesiology, aiming to further refine and enhance my exercise program.

By 2013, I was teaching my exercise program at a yoga studio. Things were going well, and my health had improved so much I could now exercise using traditional methods.

However, an underlying problem with my physical health persisted, and by 2016, it resurfaced with a vengeance. By 2017, I had crashed and burned once again, becoming incapacitated as both my mental and physical health deteriorated.

But this time, I finally identified the underlying health problems. Through surgeries and years of treatment, I managed to keep my head above water, merely surviving. Despite feeling lost and wanting to die, I pressed on.

My mental health was completely shattered, and it seemed like I would never find relief from my physical ailments. However, after many more years of treatment, I eventually prevailed.

Now, in 2024, I am returning to teaching crulsing.

Crulsing saved my life. Maybe it can help others.