Yoga Journey #46

Baked sweet potatoes, tahini butter chickpeas, wilted kale,  and crispy garlic chilli oil with side salad. The vegan journey continues. Delicious.

Restorative Yoga

The last two years I’ve had more than one dangerous medical condition that could have done me in. I believe I’m lucky to still be alive (touch wood) and difficult to think of it that way but it’s how I’ve viewed it.

I was in and out of the hospital many times and for some reason I attempted to get on my mat every single time in between those visits. But it should be known that I could not do much of anything else. Physical activity is getting harder and harder.

I’ve never acknowledged the aging process yet I’m clearly smack dab in the deep deep denial of what is going on. I’ve had several doctors say to me “and you’re getting older”. It’s never been part of how I calculate what is happening to me – age? That can’t be fixed right. I can’t go in for surgery one morning and come out with it removed.

It’s kinda like MS; it slowly gets worse and there’s no known cure. Geez I’ve got two chronic deseases – ha. But just like MS there exists medication to slow the progress and that is eating healthy, thinking positively, and exercise. I try to employ all those components in my life and my only form of exercise I can do is yoga.

Yoga has come to my rescue. It’s become my respite, my solace, my hope.

Two weeks ago I got a call at 8:00am from my surgeon and the first thing he said to me was “ Hi it’s doctor so and so have you eaten anything yet” – no. A spot has just come open do you want to do the surgery today YES!

I’ve had a hernia for over a year which I believe was another gift from prostate removal. I’ve been waiting for surgery that long. A hernia is very uncomfortable and in my case it’s in my lower right abdomen. Caused by the bowels coming through the inner lining of the abdomen. It was about the size and shape of a small avocado – it was very uncomfortable.

At the beginning I decided to stay off the mat until after surgery but as I waited I realized that it would not be resolved quickly. So I decided to get back on the mat even though that could cause problems. My doctor told me if it became painful I should head to the emergency ward immediately. I was careful on the mat as I adjusted the asanas to not put too much strain in that area.

This morning I took off the steri strips and got back on my mat. It was only for a few minutes and I was careful not to put pressure on that area.

It felt and feels good to be back to conscious breathing with purpose. To gently activate those muscles again and for a very short time believe again in the possibilities. Yoga has always done that for me and I’m so very grateful that I was taught and learned that yoga is much more than a physical journey.

I’ve learned that no mater where I am physically, geographically, or spiritually I’m welcomed back to practice.

Ahimsa
Be safe