Wednesday, September 17, 2014

What Yoga Has Done For Me

Just watched an interesting video about the benefits of exercise, and it reminded me of the symptoms I had experienced before starting yoga on a regular basis. I was experiencing random sharp pain, starting on my right ankle, then my arms, then all over really. Sometimes it was dull or felt like pressure. I'd get pins and needle sensations in the fingers or toes. I'd feel pain on what seemed like the bones and joints of my hands. It sometimes felt like the vein in my arm would get stiff and would hurt to bend my arm slightly. The anxiety caused by worrying about my health caused palpitations and shortness of breath; I'd sometimes lay awake in bed afraid to fall asleep. I didn't have health insurance and fought myself on whether or not I should see a doctor. I knew the symptoms could easily be explained away by stress and anxiety, but the fear that it could be something more (MS, Lupus, thrombosis, Lyme, etc.) lead me to pay for a doctor's visit and blood work out of pocket. All tests came back negative *phew*. I wasn't totally convinced it was just stress, but knowing my blood work was fine eased my mind some, and the symptoms subsided right away.
I still had stress factors in my life, as I think many (or most) of us do: KIDS, financial problems, a job I didn't really enjoy, sedentary lifestyle, etc. but at that time I was also house hunting with the added stress of having to find something before the lease of our then apartment expired, or risk going month-to-month and paying an amount we couldn't afford. The symptoms came back twofold.
When we FINALLY moved into our new home (after going 2 months over our lease and paying ridiculous amount of rent, having to dip into savings that was meant for our new home, moving all of our stuff just three days after closing into a foreclosure that wasn't fixed up to my standards because we had no time, having to buy all new appliances, get new A/C, fence, i.e. spending more money we didn't have) I felt some relief. I decided to go to another doctor (this time I had insurance) because while my symptoms had subsided again, they were still there and I wanted a second opinion. This doctor did a full blood work, even doing a protein test and checking for indicators of Lupus. He said I was "the picture of health. I'd even say you're healthier than me". Okay great, but I am still experiencing pain, so what now?
I decided not to go back to the doctor but start working out instead. I figured, if the symptoms continue even when I'm not stressed out and sedentary, then I'll go back and demand answers. I got on the Instagram bandwagon and was inspired by my dear friend Susy who was posting pics of herself doing arm stands. I thought "that's fricking amazing! I want to do that!" I had also joined a mommy group and met a mom yogi who told me about her YouTube channel (link below) so I started doing some of her videos as my morning routine. At that time I was doing yoga maybe 3 times a week for maybe 1/2 an hour or less in the morning. After just ONE week of doing yoga my symptoms greatly subsided.
When I felt the difference in how I felt I REALLY got into yoga. I started following some amazing yogis on Instagram and doing their monthly challenges.  I bought a Groupon voucher for Bikram hot yoga and went with my new yogi mom friend Kate Victoria for a month. I do yoga every...single...day, even if it's only to do some sun salutations in the morning when I have too much work to get done. 
I'll still get the occasional headache or little pin prick pain when I'm particularly stressed out and the kids are driving me up a wall...but NOTHING like what I was experiencing before. I am so thankful for yoga and for pushing myself to stick with it.
*Other benefits I have experienced thanks to yoga: I'm stronger (never had much upper body/arm strength, but am much stronger now, and I WILL CONTINUE until I can do a hand stand), I'm more flexible, I have more stamina, I feel sexier, I'm pushing myself out of my comfort zone (ever tried Yogance? that stuff is crazy fun, but you risk looking the fool), and last but not least, I've made new friends. I feel all around better.
Now I'm not saying you have to start doing yoga. BUT if your health is lacking, you have mystery pains, you're stressed out, or you're just not happy with your life, DO any form of exercise! You may have a more serious medical issue and need real medical attention, in which case by all means get the help you need, BUT doing some form of exercise as well will do your body and soul some good :)


 September 2014

June 2014/September 2014
                                         
June 2014/September 2014
Some Yogis worth following:
Kino MacGregor @kinoyoga: YouTube Google+ Instagram
Kerri Verna @beachyogagirl: YouTube Instagram
Cuchira @cuchira: Instagram
Kate Victoria @katevictoriayt: YouTube Google Instagram
My lovely friend Susy who inspired me to start yoga: @susyloveskaila

*The video that inspired this post: www.upworthy.com