In my last blog, I talked about the first and second causes of disease. The third cause of disease is considered the most important of all, time. “Time” means living according to the rhythms of nature and understanding the symptoms of change, which Patanjali also speaks about in his Yoga Sutras III-13 to III-16. As the sun moves and changes in quality and form, it governs specific functions and abilities. For example, the rising sun and its quality and function of creation; the mid-day sun and its quality and function of sustaining and nourishing life; and the setting sun and its quality and function of transformation. The same sun shines through each one of us, like unique pieces of stained glass, mirroring the same changes throughout the day, season and lifetime. Yoga practice is primarily for balancing the qualities of the mind, and Ayurvedic practice is primarily for balancing the qualities of the body.

They overlap and interconnect, as both are the synergy of understanding how the body and mind, with all of their qualities and functions, are subject to change. An example of this is given by Swami Shyam in his Patanjali Yog Darshan: the transformation of water into vapor or ice and back again is representative of time, or the natural movement and change of the water element. Thereby, living according to Time means living according to the time of day, the season, the age, the constitution (dosha), and the condition of the individual — and this brings and maintains balance and health.

This is a fundamental principle of Yoga and Ayurveda and a prominent feature in Ayurvedic treatment. The formation, vitiation, aggravation, and alleviation of doshas or biological humors or elements, organs, tissues and waste products are governed by this alchemy. The Ayurvedic treatment process and the Yoga Sequencing is based on this principle of balance, and the purification and harmony that these practices together achieve. The removal of these obstacles to health also creates the environment for the individual to know who they are, bringing the freedom to be fully alive and one with creation.

All changes at any level of the body and mind are influenced by the forces of time and intelligence, as well as one’s ability to live in this awakened state of pure consciousness. This in turn allows for clarity, infinite wisdom, longevity and good health.

Ayurveda Defines Three Root Causes of Disease

Three Root Causes of Disease 1 – 2

Chaya offers Yoga and Ayurveda Wellness and Panchakarma Retreats, her book Yoga of Action, a good tool for those wanting to understand the synergy of Yoga and Ayurveda along with modifications and adaptations for those with special needs and is available for consultations by phone or skype. You can contact her through her website www.ayurvedaalternatives.com

Tags: Ayurveda, Chaya, Conscious Living, harmony, awaken, pure consciousness, disease

I presumed that no one in the restaurant could tell I was packin’ (a catheter, not a pistol/piss tool).

Using my Diaper Dude super powers (Act Four), I began visualizing and imagining all of my fellow diners with a cornucopia of unseen devices: prosthetic limbs, pacemakers, bags for all reasons, transplanted organs etc… When it began to resemble a Fellini film, my mind returned to dinner.

I was grateful that Medicine (my profession) has provided people the opportunity to function and live good lives, even though there were issues with tissues (body parts). I appreciated how people were capable of dealing with adversity and moving forward, many quite gracefully.

It was time to make a decision about the supra-pubic catheter. It needed to be removed because of potential infection. But what if my urethra was not up to the task? Would it let me down again even though I thought I had fixed the issue by removing the tissue? Another catheter would have to be reinserted immediately along the same track. Otherwise I would have to begin catheterizing myself, or go back to the operating room and have another tube inserted under general anesthesia. I didn’t want any of these options so I worked diligently, on all levels, to succeed. With a week to go, I was super confident. With two days to go, I started having separation anxiety.

At the appointed time I entered the doctor’s waiting room, positive that it could be removed. Unfortunately, I had to wait a little longer than usual because there were others ahead of me with unscheduled, complicating maladies. This gave me just enough time to question most of my confidence. I felt a slight feeling of suffocation, which I relieved by stepping outside multiple times to focus and breathe semi-fresh air.

I entered the doctor’s office, once again sitting on the side of the desk nearest the plastic representation of the exposed male genitalia (Act Three). I told my doctor I wanted the tube out but I didn’t want to risk the consequences of a system failure.

Accounting for our seated positions and the distance across the desk, the aforementioned genitalia model was occupying the visual space of my doctor’s face. In the brief instant between my statement and his response, I wondered if he had the same visual from the backside?
Things became surrealistic as his voice seemed to be coming from the plastic genitals. ”Sometimes”, it/he said, “the tube has to stay in for months, and sometimes people have to be catheterized for life”. Even the funny visual didn’t prevent the wave of nausea.

We decided to do an objective test and leave the decision up to scientific data. I was comfortably back in my element: test taking (which I have done all my life). I lay on the table in my now very familiar position while the doctor used the supra-pubic catheter as a conduit to fill my bladder with fluid. I could feel it filling up and stretching my abdomen back into my prior pregnancy state (Act one). Now it was my mission to empty the same amount of fluid he had inserted. If it emptied, the catheter would come out and I would be free. If not, we would remove this one and place another one in immediately.

Houston, we didn’t have a problem.

Everything worked. The doctor said “congratulations” as he cut the suture, which had secured the catheter to my abdominal wall. The catheter was pulled without any of the pain I had anticipated. My Mother would have been proud had I been able to tell her I’d “aced” my urine test.

I am now fully into the healing mode; accepting challenges, avoiding complications, learning when to push and when to flow, and accepting that I am not totally in charge. Sometimes my energy is high when things are going well. Sometimes my energy is low when I feel like I am not progressing. I am now four months out and still healing. I was told it takes four to six months.

Injury and illness, although different in specifics, have many things in common related to healing, setbacks, ebb and flow, highs and lows, unexpected issues that seem to pile on.

Throughout the process I recognized some things that helped me. Maybe some of them will help you.

1.Be prepared:
Physically, mentally and spiritually. Obtain the knowledge of how the treatment should progress before, during and following the procedure.

2.Be in Gratitude:
The more one remains in that “state”, the easier it is. When pain or suffering is peaking, finding things to be grateful for will take you to a better place. Thank everyone along the way.

3.Support system:
Even if you don’t tell everyone, just know they are there and allow people to help when needed.

4.Have a good doctor and office staff communication

5.Perspective:
When the overall garden may not look so good, search for some beautiful flowers to enjoy. Other times, a weed may appear but it is still a beautiful garden. Appreciate all the things that are working correctly in your body, mind and spirit.

6. Be Relevant:
Begin doing something related to your vocation or a hobby as soon as possible.

7.Peaks and Valleys:
They are going to happen even if unrelated to the main event. Just when I was starting to feel almost normal, my father died.

8.Humor:
Look for humor and fun stories to share in every part of the journey. You might have a great blog or book in you. It may help others.

9.Posture and Alignment:
Try and regain or remain as close to your natural alignment as possible. Being out of alignment can cause new problems at a time when you are trying to heal from something else. Things flow better when in alignment.

10. Hygiene:
Stay clean, don’t increase the opportunity for infection at a time when your immune system might be struggling or compromised.

11.Choose the right words and thoughts:
Words actually do mean something. Just changing a word made me feel better about the experience.

12. Food is medicine, medicine is food. (Hippocrates-lite):
Eat healthy, small portions. Eat very slowly (M.Pollan-lite).

13.Pet therapy:
I didn’t have any for this one but I have had in the past. Your pet will love you unconditionally.

14.Make Changes:
Evaluate who you were (physically, mentally and spiritually) and what may have been contributing factors leading to the event. Consider making changes.

15.Healin’ and Dealin‘:
Try to make most of the issues you have to deal with about healing. If you are dealing with an issue that is not about healing, make the decision with healing in mind.

16. “Oh blah di, Life goZon” (McCartney-lite)

Magical Medical Tour:

Act 1 and 2: Signs and Symptoms

Act 3: A Nightmare Week

Act 4: Surgery and Superheros

Act 5: Healin’ and Dealin’

Glen Wollman, Healing, Gratitude, Positivity, prepared, humor

Ayurveda’s first cause of disease is a mistake or misuse of the mind, where one observes or perceives incorrectly. When we try to solve it by suppressing or thinking what to do about IT, that creates further fragments and divisions. Observe holistically, observe the whole movement of life as one; then conflict – with its destructive energy – not only ceases but also, out of that observation, gifts a totally new approach to life!

The second cause of disease arises out of its first – mistake of the mind or, even more specifically, the misuse of the intelligence, which is the misuse of objects of the senses. We can also view this as wrong relationships to such objects like people, places, things, activities, and even our own mind, including its thoughts, emotions, perceptions and conditioning.

To be alive is to be in relationship, and we are in relationship to all things based upon the health and condition of our five physical senses: hearing, sight, taste, smell and feeling – plus a sixth and subtle sense, the mind.

The practices of Yoga and Ayurveda work synergistically, and traditionally. Ayurveda cleanses and balances the bodily humors or the material body, and Yoga cleanses and balances the mind and the subtle body. The mind can take the senses, and thereby the physical body, in any direction. When total awareness is achieved, and you know who the driver is, you can go in the direction that you, the real you, really wants to go.

Stay tuned next week for the third cause and the relationship of all three as a road map to awakened states and self-healing.

Ayurveda Defines Three Root Causes of Disease

Three Root Causes of Disease 3

Chaya offers Yoga and Ayurveda Wellness and Panchakarma Retreats, her book Yoga of Action, a good tool for those wanting to understand the synergy of Yoga and Ayurveda along with modifications and adaptations for those with special needs and is available for consultations by phone or skype. You can contact her through her website www.ayurvedaalternatives.com

Tags: Ayurveda, Chaya, Conscious Living, Holistic, self-healing, awakened states

This comment seems almost redundant. In fact, how could we live if we were not breathing? And at the same time, it is a fact that we don’t always pay attention to this life-giving mechanism on which we are so dependent.

I have spoken about the vital link that we have with our breath, and with our breathing before. It seems appropriate to revisit it here now.

Every day, I talk with people who are struggling to find a corner of peace within the frantic nature of their lives. So many of them feel that they are barely hanging on. I am noticing as well that many of us are holding ourselves in a rigorous vice-like stasis, bracing ourselves for the unknown hammer of change to fall on our heads. (I wrote about this in my last blog entry “2012, Apocalypse Or Not”)

This static existence precludes a lot of moments of spontaneous creativity and joy. It precludes moments in which we can truly relax with all that is naturally occurring around us. When we keep ourselves rigid with fear, we don’t let in the things and the tools that we have to help us cope with what we think we are afraid of.

The breath is a perfect example of a tool available to us, which we don’t always acknowledge or employ to foster our own well being.

I teach clients to the use the breath to remind them that there is a peaceful space available within, from which they can easily hear the voice of intuition, the voice of truth that is expressed through their deepest and most transparent nature. If you study yoga, you are taught that the way in which you breathe determines the way in which you live your life. The air around us is literally filled with the energy of existence and creation, prana, which is life giving, life favouring, life restoring. As we breathe this air in and out, we tap into the collective creation of all of existence!

Through the breath, we can have an immediate experience of being at peace with and at one with the moment. Our creativity and openness to the moment is not usually held back when the breath is flowing easily.

Take a moment to consider breath, your breath, as an instrument of focus and change. Are you holding yourself in rigid stasis? Are you afraid to move or breathe because you won’t be safe if something changes?

Throughout my newsletters and website are many offerings in the form of meditations and exercises related to breathing. Try one – you might find the words to lift your awareness of the breath to a renewed place of practice and excitement.

In my next entry, I will begin to describe the ways in which we can work with our breath to achieve peace, relieve stress, create healing for ourselves and others, and ride the tumult of change. The breath can be our most powerful ally in creating a gentle change in perspective.

And as always, have fun with it!
With Love and Blessings,
Anatara

Tags: Breathe, life-giving mechanism, energy, exercises related breathing, restorative

Calculating the rate of bladder filling and hours before surgery, it was painfully obvious I would have to catheterize myself and penetrate the Three Gorges of Hell (see Act Three), hopefully, for the last time in this life time. I awoke early. Mission accomplished.

Trying to remain in a very positive mental state,I crossed the Hospital threshold at 0500 hours.

While following the nurse along the corridor to the pre-op room, I contemplated my preparation ritual. I envisioned a quiet meditation, fine tuning body, mind, spirit connections. This seemed the best strategy for the high energy laser assault looming in the nearest future in a corridor not far, far away.

A lesson was presented as I entered my room. Another man, also anticipating surgery, occupied the bed nearest the door. I walked quietly past the bed as one of his family member’s sneezed and coughed. “Great” I thought, as I pictured billions of tiny viruses surfing the air waves and targeting my immune system, which I was trying to protect and booster.

For the entire hour and a half, he engaged in loud conversation. I finally let go and released my envisioned meditation and sacred space. I tuned in to him instead. He was positive, humorous and harboring no apparent fear. He shared personal stories with nurses, orderlies, lab techs and family. It was only in the final seconds, as he was being wheeled out to the operating room, that I overheard him reveal how his bladder cancer had spread to a ureter. The surgeon intended to remove one kidney (nephrectomy). His malady and surgery were far more serious than my outpatient procedure. We never met but, in that moment, I offered silent gratitude to have been in his presence. I think he prepared me in a far better manner for my procedure than anything I might have done in my sacred space.

I was transferred to the operating room and assisted on to the surgical table.

I was awake. I smiled.

I was out (anesthetized).

I was marginally awake (in recovery).

Acknowledging consciousness, I smiled again, to pillar my surgery by two smiles (see Blog Prime Cut tip #9).

It is always strange to recover from a drug-induced anesthesia sleep, but I was grateful for the intravenous tubing that carried the medications through my vascular tubes (blood vessels) to my central nervous system (big important tube).

Through the mental fog, I heard a voice inform me that the surgery had gone well. One minor detail, however: I still required a catheter to keep my non-functioning bladder empty. It differed from the prior catheters. It had to be supra-pubic. It was connected to a very large removable needle and inserted through the skin of my abdominal wall (between my navel and pubic bone) directly into my bladder. It would remain for an unknown time.

I didn’t want to deal with anything except clearing my body and mind of very appreciated toxins and continuing my healing strategy.

Every person interacting with me in the hospital that day was a super-hero. All were professional, pleasant, courteous and competent. They made everything go smoothly during a time and in a place where bumps would not have been stellar. I was and am grateful.

I recovered well. After being formally introduced to my supra pubic catheter and receiving instructions on emptying, cleaning and plugging, I went home in the late afternoon, with my fiancée taking care of me.

On my third day post-op, a new superhero was seen for the very first time and I experienced a humorous lesson.

My abdominal incision began leaking profusely around the exiting part of the catheter. I shifted out of “patient mode” and into “doctor mode”. I called (begged) my wonderful neighbor (Bea) to procure some type of adult diaper and specific medical supplies that would allow me to stop the leak and change my own dressings. I was trained for this. I may never know all the decisions and visuals she experienced deciding sizes, amounts, absorbency capabilities, etc., but I do know that her light shattered the darkness of the moment as she handed me the bag of supplies. Her choices were perfect.

Out of the darkness and into the light, and for my own personal entertainment, emerges a “man of steel” (well some parts of me are steel). I stood poised to protect the sacred space (bathroom) while keeping gratitude and compassion from being misplaced (lost) from the hearts and minds of the walking wounded. Resplendent in a giant panda-faced shower cap with extended, giant panda ears, surgical gloves and mask, red cape (towel around my neck) and a cool pair of stripe-colored mid-calf socks, appeared for the very first time…

PAMPER MAN (DEPENDS DUDE)!

After an evening of primum non nocere (first doing no harm) and protecting my local Universe, I wanted to take my first shower since surgery. The brilliant idea manifested in my super mind that wearing the pampers (sans accoutrements) might keep the incision, dressing and catheter dry.

Obviously, it was my sub-mind in control. This exquisite shower (which I took in the dark) changed rapidly when a feeling of heaviness developed in my lower body as if I were being grasped and tugged from below. I was rapidly losing height. 5’9″ became 5’3”. My knees were buckling as I was being inhaled by the drain dragon. Finally, at 4’6” and with my last bit of strength, I managed to rip off the pampers that were stockpiling enough water to fill a….

Stay tuned for ACT Five. Dealin’and Healin’

Magical Medical Tour:

Act 1 and 2: Signs and Symptoms

Act 3: A Nightmare Week

Act 4: Surgery and Superheroes

Act 5: Healin’ and Dealin’

Tags: Glenn Wollman, Kidney Stones, supra-pubic catheter, post-op shower, depends

IN GRATITUBE: A NIGHTMARE WEEK

Act three:

Time, in my mind, was moving at a different rate than real time. The reality of imminent surgery was circulating in my brain cells. Would it happen in hours or days?

The Doctor held an anatomical model of the entire exposed male genitalia in front of my eyes. While focusing on the plastic model and relating it to my own anatomy, I learned that a green light Boron Laser would be inserted into my urethra. Under the steady hand of the skilled surgeon, a beam would generate 190,000 joules of energy, turning my prostate gland to fried sweetbreads. The tissue would be melted to a liquid then boiled to a gas, and then finally vaporized inside me. Who would want to turn down that E-ticket ride? “Evaporate it!” I said. “When do we do it? I can’t wait too long. My bladder is already filling”. The doctor informed me that he would not be able to operate for a week because of a previously scheduled medical conference.

So I was going to have to empty my bladder by self-catheterizing (inserting the tube into my own urethra) multiple times a day for one week — that is, seven days or 168 hours. I took my now familiar position on the table. “I know it sounds bad but I can tell you it will get easier”, the doctor whispered as he placed a 13-inch long catheter in my right hand. Using a reverse overhand vice-like grip, I did it without any thought. It was equally painful entering and exiting.

For the rest of the day, my mind was dreading the night. Thinking about having to do something I didn’t want to do. NEVER, EVER AGAIN. Yet I knew I was going to have to do it multiple times over the next 10,080 minutes. Fight or flight. My autonomic nervous system kicked in and put me in fear mode. Where did the fear originate from? Thus began an internal mental Google search for an old software pattern of behavior. An inappropriate survival strategy downloaded at a time when I had less understanding of things. In my meditation, I couldn’t find the root cause of the fear so I decided not to worry and just accept the fact that I needed a newer survival software program that would enable me to get through this major dilemma.

First, I granted myself Authorization (permissions) to change (grow). Next, I needed to invoke an inner power. With permission and power, I developed a ritual, creating a sacred space containing an altar organized with the following: gloves; surgical instruments; tubes filled with ointments and balms; tubes of bandages and dressings; and I think even a tube of tubes next to a glass measuring beaker.

The first night, it took me three hours to prepare for a procedure that lasted, on average, around 80 very long seconds. Positioning my body in a horse stance learned in martial arts training, I calmed my mind through a special breathing technique (see Meta4 square breath) and visualization. I grounded myself in compassion and gratitude and inserted the device slowly through the Three Gorges of Hell (three places on the path that cause intense pain). The ritual was repeated each morning when I awoke and each evening before I went to sleep. It was a long week that included a total of 15 feet of catheter tubing. It never got easier.

However, there were a few highlights and lessons:

The “words” I used to describe my clinical condition, emotions, physical issues, etc. had an energy or charge. When someone asked how I was doing, I thought “it is a nightmare week” and I immediately felt worse. But when I actually answered “it is a challenge”, I felt more tranquil. Awareness of the words hovering in my thoughts and speech resulted in softer and more healing choices. This had a positive effect.

Whenever I told people about the self-catheterization, everyone reacted with their own version of “The Squirm Boogie”. There were combinations and permutations of instantaneous, involuntary facial, body, and extremity contortions. Some even produced unintelligible sounds. Realizing the potential of entertainment I could achieve in the degrees of squirm, I was incentivized to provide increasingly elaborate descriptions.

Ok, there was one other good thing I learned. While going through the Three Gorges, I thought “I would not wish this on my worst enemy”. I started scrolling through my mental rolodex (yes, I still use one) and realized that I didn’t know anyone I disliked enough to consider an enemy.

Stay tuned for Act Four: Surgery and Superheroes

Magical Medical Tour:

Act 1 and 2: Signs and Symptoms

Act 3: A Nightmare Week

Act 4: Surgery and Superheros

Act 5: Healin’ and Dealin’

Tags: Glenn-Wollman, Urinary Bladder, catheter-urethra, prostate-gland, photoselective-vaporization, calming-the-mind, Meta4-square-breath

I was absorbing the beautiful light of a mid-May dusk when my right kidney decided to gift me with a nugget made of calcium oxalate (a chemical compound that forms needle-shaped crystals and is a major part of human kidney stones). I was grateful that the diameter of the tube (Right URETER) from my right kidney to my urinary bladder was larger than the diameter of the needle nugget slowly slashing through it(me). The “passage” was still painful enough to bring me to my knees while causing involuntary emesis (vomiting). The pain subsided in 24 hours on a regimen of anti-inflammatory medication, increased fluids, rest and meditation. But I didn’t realize this episode was a harbinger of things to come. Two months into the future, I will be viewing this kidney stone and more on a CAT (computerized axial tomography) scan.

In June, I was grateful for the second tube that carried water from my camel back to my mouth so that I could endure the 100+ degree temperatures at an elevation of around 6000 feet, climbing to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park Utah, where I became a fiancé to my fiancée .

Three days later, it was July and I was NOT grateful for the tube (The URETHRA) that traverses from my urinary bladder to the outside world. It refused to work on my behalf or request. My kidneys were producing urine and my bladder was storing it but my urethra closed off and would not allow me to relase or empty. As a doctor, I began to evaluate signs and symptoms on my quest for a clinical diagnosis. While I am in the mode of believing that everything happens for a reason, I also search for lessons. Of course it was the first day of the July fourth weekend and I did not want to go to the Emergency Department, at least not yet. Fortunately, having medical friends with benefits, I was able to call my friend, a surgical specialist (UROLOGIST), who agreed with my potential diagnosis. He gave me a few pills to take to assist me through the weekend. It was not a fun Fourth.

♬Dah, Dah, Dah, Daaah ♬. Beethoven was in my head as the Fifth arrived. I was happy to be seeing my Urologist. I wanted this problem to be finished. The first thing he said, when he observed my distended abdomen, was “you look like you are 28 weeks pregnant”. He confirmed with an ultrasound that I was not about to be a “fother” (not actually sure what I would have been called if pregnant). Two liters of trapped fluid (Urine) was the cause. Even with my eyes closed and still lying on my back, I could sense him reaching for the next tube (FOLEY CATHETER). This is a very long tube that was about to be inserted through my urethral opening (The MEATUS) all the way into my bladder, the goal being the release and relief of my false pregnancy. I had mixed emotions (not about the pregnancy). On the one hand, I did not want anything to enter my bladder from the outside world. On the other, I needed my bladder emptied to save my kidneys. I’m cool. I can handle an “in-out” catheterization. “Nope, it stays in for one week”, said the Urologist. “And you will be on medication.” I really did not want this because of potential side effects. What followed was a set of instructions: Here’s how you empty the bag. Here’s how you change the day bag for your evening bag. Here’s how you take the medication. In case you’re wondering, it is not easy to follow technical instructions while having a Foley Catheter inserted.

Act two: The Diagnosis

I drove to the Radiology facility and sat in the waiting room watching some very, very sick people dealing with assorted maladies, in many cases very gracefully. Trying to get up on to an x-ray table with a catheter and bag ensemble required a new set of skills. I was so appreciative of the scientists who invented a tube (CAT Scanner) that would use less radiation than a regular chest x-ray and help nail down my diagnoses of bilateral kidney stones and an enlarged prostate gland. The scan also showed that I did not have a malignancy(cancer). All other organs looked very good. Next, I went to the laboratory waiting room where I observed more courageous people. I was hoping the lab tectnician would find a willing vein with the first needle stick. The tight tourniquet exposed a plump tubular appearing vein. After the appropriate sterilization of the site, accompanied by the smell of alcohol in the air, he took the sharp needle and went for it. Relief came when all five tubes were filled with my blood and the needle was removed. The ensuing analysis would give information on the status of the rest of my body and offer parameters influencing my treatment plan.

I survived the week with my clumsy catheter, fearful at all times that I might accidentally catch the tube on something and rip it out of my body. The good news was that it did allow me to sleep a complete night without worrying and I never did catch it on anything.

The plan was for me to get up at 5:00 a.m., deflate the balloon holding the catheter in my bladder and carefully extract the very long tube. I succeeded in removing the catheter but my urethra was not in a benevolent mood. Five hours later, no liquid gold. I was unable to urinate.

Across his desk the urologist said, “Too late for medication; you need surgery, NOW!”. I was grateful to my very competent and knowledgeable friend for sending me to another specialist, who used a special surgical instrument that would be best for me.

I drove calmly across town from one doctor’s office to the next. I didn’t know if I would be in surgery in an hour or what was about to unfold. I had no idea at the time that the element, Boron (Atomic number 5 on the Periodic Table) would play such an important role in the upcoming treatment of my condition.

Can you say photoselective vaporization?

Stay tuned for Act three: A Nightmare Week

Magical Medical Tour:

Act 1 and 2: In Gratitube

Act 3: A Nightmare Week

Act 4: Surgery and Superheros

Act 5: Healin’ and Dealin’

Tags: Kidney, Urinary Bladder, catheter-urethra, clumsy-catheter-deflate, photoselective vaporization, Radiology-x-ray

Something happened back in April. Something that affected my back. I could not release it for months, no matter what I did. I knew that it meant I had to be still. . . physically still. An energetic force was holding every joint of mine together, like ties binding my muscles, joints, and tendons.

I knew I had to honor it. I was frustrated as I love being physically active. My lower back and sciatic nerves were resonating until I could hardly roll out of bed or pick up my child.

I attempted to stretch it out on an inversion table ,which helped a bit, but there was still no release in the lower back. I could not even do a “Child Pose”. My back just chose not to release in any way.

I finally went to see my chiropractor, who is much more than just a chiropractor to me. She is an amazing individual who works with all the energetic levels of the being.

She was not surprised. She knew how hard I have been working, how determined and focused I am. She confirmed that this was all a manifestation of movement and flow in life. She also could not adjust my lower back as it refused to unlock. She tested my body and the “lock” was actually at the base of my neck. So she had me do the “Child Pose” and while I was holding the pose, she made the adjustment. I immediately felt the energies begin to explode. I continued to move from the Child Pose to the Cat Cow in a constant flow, breathing the breath back into my lower spine and hips.

It’s been a week since then and I am back to my daily practice. Today was a joyous first day. I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy being in the simplest asanas again, and feeling the nurturing breath energize every cell in my body.

Tags: child pose, cat cow, lower back pain, yoga practice, daily yoga, chiropractic, yoga for healing injuries, yoga for healing pain

Well, I have to tell you, after the stress of these past few months when I’ve had to focus on work (sitting in front of a computer) – not just for YogaHub but for other businesses as well – my body is not happy with me.

Nope. It is actually very, very irritated at me – to the point where it has chosen to let me know through various aches and pains. Oh yes, suddenly my hips twinge, my shoulder blades feel like I am carrying 50 extra pounds, my legs and feet are cramping, my neck does not have full motion…the list goes on. You think it’s time for me to listen?

It’s interesting how I come from the field of healing arts, and yet find it easier to take care of others before healing myself. This is right up there with the old saying, “the shoemaker’s children don’t have any shoes.”

So I truly need to start not only listening to my body but actually doing something about this. It’s much too painful.

I have to tell you, when I did a simple “Mountain Pose” stretch towards the sky the other day, it felt awesome!

So, Downward Facing Dogs – I’m back.

Tags: stress, pain, shoulder pain, irritation, neck stiff, mountain pose, downward facing dogs

]]> http://www.yogahub.com/blog/body-talk/feed/ 0 http://www.yogahub.com/blog/yoga-for-injuries/ http://www.yogahub.com/blog/yoga-for-injuries/#comments Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:19:16 +0000 Francesca Silva http://www.yogahub.com/blog/yoga-for-injuries/ Okay, so I’ve been living with this cracked rib for a few weeks now and it’s really annoying me.

I miss being able to do basic, everyday things – I even miss doing housework, so that should tell you something about how stir crazy I’m going!

But what I miss most of all is practicing my yoga. Just when I’d established a routine at home and was enjoying it, this had to happen (excuse me while I sulk for a couple of minutes – okay, done).

Well, sitting around feeling sorry for myself is not my style – too boring and self-indulgent – so I’ve been checking the Internet and asking around to see what kind of yoga I can do that won’t exacerbate the rib issue.

Then yesterday, at my follow-up appointment with my doctor, I remembered that he’s been practicing yoga for years, so I asked him for suggestions. “Nothing that requires stretching,” was his response. “But the breathing techniques of yoga will be highly beneficial.” He reminded me that cracked ribs can cause breathing problems, which in turn can result in chest infections. He encouraged me to speak to a yoga instructor and find some breathing techniques that could help me while my rib is healing.

And talk about perfect timing! When I got home, I found a response to my blog from Paula, who reminded me that yoga is everywhere and suggested that I try some restorative, meditative yoga at home. Thanks for your encouragement, Paula – what a wonderful suggestion.

Since my regular yoga instructor is still on vacation, I called my cousin who used to teach yoga. She carefully went through the exact problem with my rib and then gave me suggestions on how to start with abdominal breathing rather than rib cage breathing. She suggested that I hug a pillow gently to my chest while doing the deep breathing exercises, and I found that it greatly helped to ease the pain. The breathing techniques hurt a bit at first but now that I’ve been doing them for a while, I’m beginning to feel much better.

I’ve also bought a Restorative Yoga with Deborah Donohue DVD to try doing at home. And if it’s not too strenuous, maybe I can get Mumsie to try it as well.

It’s now been about four weeks since my cousin’s son mistook me for a rugby ball and my doctor says it should take another two to three weeks before I can start some gentle physical yoga – “but listen to what your body is telling you so you don’t overdo it.” Believe me I’ll listen because I have no intention of re-injuring the rib!

In the meantime, my wonderful husband has taken over cooking dinner most evenings (he’s a better cook than I am so we’re all benefiting from this). So what did hubby – he of the finely tuned sense of the absurd – prepare for us the other night?

Ribs – what else!

Tags: broken ribs, yoga for injuries, restorative yoga, deborah donohue, healing, breathing techniques

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