Is the Doctor In?

Lately, I’ve been asked questions that typically a doctor hears. What can I do for heartburn, sinus problems, bursitis in the shoulder (see previous posting)?

Yes, I teach yoga but I’m not a doctor and will never claim to be. My best resources for helping people are a) my experience, personal and teaching, b) Mr. Google, as my Grandmother calls it, and c) my ongoing studies about yoga as therapy. Combined I have been able to point people in the right direction.

I write this post to remind yoga students that yoga teachers are just that: yoga teachers. We’re not doctors.

It doesn’t hurt to ask your yoga teacher for advice, but trust your intuition and play an active role in your recovery, vs. assuming what your teacher says is correct and doing it. Yes, more experienced yoga practitioners and teachers will be able to offer more sage advice. Some may actually be M.D.s by trade, though my assumption they’re the minority. Part of being a yoga teacher is having an understanding of which poses can heal or improve a condition, as well as knowing which poses might aggravate a current health condition (contraindications). Your teacher’s advice might be on target but again it’s important to listen to your gut feelings and don’t be passive in dealing with your health condition.

Long blog post short: trust your intuition, do your research (on and off your yoga mat), talk to your yoga teacher, and see a doctor if your condition continues to be a concern.

Shoulder Bursitis

A client recent asked me if there’s a yoga pose that could assist with his bursitis in the shoulder. I suggested the following. If you have any other ideas, please comment.

Practice the following arm poses: 1) Cow Face Arms, 2) Eagle Pose –Focus on Eagle Arms, 3) Hands Bound Behind Back Pose (is there a name for this?).

Directions for Pose 3:  Stand tall and simply interlace hands behind back. Focus on drawing shoulders down and hands slightly away from body.

If you’re unsure about 1 & 2, check out this link for pictures —http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/finder/anatomical_focus/shoulders

Avoid taking arms overhead right now in poses such as Warrior I, Chair Pose (Utkatasana), Urdhva Hastasana, etc. You can always modify these poses by leaving the arms along side of the body, or interlacing hands behind back.

Talking

Verbal communication can offer a wonderful release in a stressful or emotional situation.  It’s great for generating ideas and gathering insight from others.  Talking builds bonds with colleagues and expands friendships.  Talking can enhance relationships with loved ones and even connect us to strangers. Talking with intention is healthy.  Talking just to talk is distracting.

I’ve been observing when I talk, why I talk and what I say.  Before I speak, I think about whom I am speaking with and does what my mind hold really need to be shared with this person.  Is what I’m about to say negative or gossip?  Pausing before I speak has shifted a few things for me.  My complaining has decreased, my listening has increased and my mind feels clearer.

Talking just to fill empty space can be an excuse not to sit with oneself or in the presence of another in silence.  Why is silence so uncomfortable for some?  The answer will be revealed in another blog posting ☺

There is a lot of power in silence, in stillness.  Meditation and yoga are wonderful introductions to silence and can increase your self-awareness as it relates to what you say, your tone and when you speak (i.e. do you interrupt others who are in silence).   Actually, you don’t even need meditation or yoga to practice observation of your words.  Try this:  Take note the next time you unconsciously reach for your cell phone to call someone “just to talk”.  Could a few minutes of silence with yourself give you more relief?  It may be just what you need.

There is a time to talk and a time to be quiet.  Learn to observe this and enjoy both.  Silence is precious but surely will be missed if you talk for the sake of talking.

Protect Your Feet

Your feet are your foundation for much of your day-to-day life. We rarely give them any consideration until something goes wrong like foot fungus. Foot fungus, yuck! Yes, it’s gross to think about but a possibility particularly if you’re an avid yogi visiting your local yoga studio often.

As this article suggest, get your own yoga mat and clean it after each use.

http://www.nbc10.com/health/16496198/detail.htmlbook review

Acknowledge All Your Feelings

My last posting discussed feeling your body in relation to environment, others and your space on your yoga mat.  In every situation, your body speaks to you through feelings, good and bad.  Feelings can be strong, weak or subtle.  They can be physical, emotional and often come out of left field.

Learn to honor all of them –pain, awkwardness, tension, happiness, sadness, bliss.  All feelings are opportunities to grow.  With growth we experience new feelings, new ways of being and in turn, live life to its fullest.

If you shut out feelings, you miss out.  Ignoring your feelings, just buries them inside of you.  One day, when you least expect it, they will come bursting out.  Remember, what you resist persist.  By ignoring them, you numb yourself to what your life has to offer.

To live life to its fullest, we must learn to recognize and accept all it has to offer, no matter how it makes us feel.  Feel all that you can and you’ll be all that you are meant to be.