This month I’ve struggled to write something about Multiple Sclerosis. I feel as though I’m repeating myself on both sides of this blog and then it came to mind that I’ve had MS for 26 years and I’m still walking, talking, writing, practicing, living.
I’ve thought for the longest time that I could do nothing about this disease that lives inside of me. And I was resigned to letting MS take me where it took me. The ability to stop it does not exist. But it can be slowed down and I’ve benefited from medications that have done that.
For 25 years I’ve been injecting myself. In the beginning (Bataseron) every second day and for the last eight or so years once a week (Avonex). I hate needles but it’s better than the alternative. These medications have slowed the progress and allowed me to have a better quality of life.
Along with these meds yoga joined the fight against the progression. I’d even say in some ways I’ve regained some things back.
Does it sound to you that I place too much emphasis on the benefits of yoga. Sometimes I feel I’m being a little to enthusiastic about my yoga journey. I write often in this blog about how yoga has helped my body deal with Multiple Sclerosis. My options for exercise are very limited. I can’t run, lift weights, walk too far, do most things that require me to be active.
So my options are few and I was lucky enough to find Ashtanga Yoga. There are many different kinds of yoga and I’m no expert on any of them. However I have been practicing Ashtanga for nine years now and I have become aware of what yoga can do for my physical and mental well-being.
So at the beginning of this year I decided I would practice every day except Moon days and Sunday’s. This is a reflection of how I feel about my ability to practice with MS. Sunday’s are off because of the medication I take on Saturday night.
This decision is partly because of the disastrous previous year. But also I wanted to challenge myself and regain what I have lost. So to follow this close-to-traditional path I was prompted to learn about Moons, the different names, and meanings for each month. And to continue in this vein I started to write a rhyme for each new and full Moon. It was a way to remind me / us to take rest. And a way for me to better understand why I’m doing it this way.
So I started this quest knowing that MS would put up roadblocks but I’m determined that I can do it. And I know it’s only the beginning of March but I’ve managed to stay on track so far except for two days due to a medical procedure.
And what I have discovered is; because I know that every day I’m going to practice, I get on my mat. There’s no opportunity to talk myself out of it. I’m getting on that mat no matter what. And I’ve learned that on days when I would have normally talked myself out of practicing; practice was awesome – it’s been quite revealing. I’m no longer surprised how expectations can determine the outcome.
And the quality of my life reveals itself as I start Sun Salutations. It’s really quite a trip; such an awesome ice breaker into an incredible invitation to what lays ahead.
Be safe
Wonderful