Keep Calm and Do Yoga

It’s been a while.  Actually its been a long while since I posted.  Sometimes its difficult to stay focused and motivated, and recently it has been extremely difficult to channel my thoughts  into positive  productivity.  The simple fact is when life gets busy we forget about ourselves.  That small voice inside us gets drowned out and we then can no longer hear what our body is trying to tell us , trying to tell us what we need in order to be happy and most importantly at peace.

At the age of 16 I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (U.C.) an autoimmune deficient disease that rears its ugly head at times when I have been most disconnected with myself, when I have been most stressed.  Whether that stress was overt or covert, I was not really listening to the subtle hints my body was trying to give me. These relapses resulted in extreme stomach cramping, pain, loss of sleep, vomiting, diaorrhea, anorexic weightloss, hospital visits and lots of medication. My last and most severe bout (over 5 years ago) caused me to lose over 3 stone in 3 months, reducing my curvy frame to just 7 stone in weight (I am 5ft 8inches tall). I was skeletal, weak, depressed, and so disconnected from myself I couldn’t even hear the voice inside me telling me what I needed to change in order to get better.  I was so far gone down the road of giving up, getting angry with my body and hating myself for lack of progress in recovery and yet not having  “vivre” to really put the energy into getting better.

It was this “spiralling” that forced me to change my thoughts, forced me to listen, really listen to what I needed. I needed to reconnect with myself, to hear what my body was telling me. Through those tough times I have an understanding with myself, at times when life sweeps me along on a tidal wave of hectic I need to stop and just listen, be patient and kind to myself, take some time out and just be, to know when you are pushing yourself beyond what your body can cope with.

To help me take time out, I have been attending Power Yoga classes twice a week for the last couple of weeks.  Two hours  a week is dedicated to just breathing and being present in the moment. The whole point of Yoga is to reconnect the mind with the body completely, becoming self aware. Life is really hectic for most of us, so carving out even 30mins a week for “self-care”, what ever that may be, whether it is taking a bath, getting your hair done,  reading a book,  going for a swim, a walk, a run, it is so important to take the time out if we are to be in any sort of place both physically and mentally that offers the best of ourselves to the world.

With those 2 hrs a week dedicated to yoga I am saying “hello” to myself again. Yoga is a therapy for me, it inspires me, it focuses my mind and strengthens my body.    There are also a  few Yoga moves that are fantastic to help optimise digestion and reduce symptoms for those that suffer from U.C. or other digestive problems, so for me it works in maintaining my health.  I hope it inspires others to do the same.

For others that have been diagnosed with, or are currently suffering from Ulcerative Colitis or other chronic conditions there is a very helpful article on MindBodyGreen.com which gives you hints and tips on how to cope with Chronic Pain. These are very helpful Do’s and Don’ts and I would encourage you and your loved ones to read it. It will help set you on a path to recovery and to find your own balance.

To everyone out there. Keep Calm and do Yoga.

Related Articles:

10 Natural ways to optimise digestion and lose weight

Signs your grounding chakra is out of whack and what to do about it

13 Do’s & Don’ts for Coping with Chronic Pain

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