Relaxed and Refreshed
I am feeling very relaxed today. I had a wonderful night’s sleep and woke to complete one of my favorite things – yoga 🙂
I try and do my yoga practice upon rising three to four times a week and prefer to practice at home through various DVDs.
A few of my favorites include:
- Bryan Kest’s Power Yoga Series
- Yoga Mind and Body with Allie McGraw
- Power Yoga for Happiness with Eoin Finn
- Kundalini Yoga with Ana Brett and Ravi Singh
- Kundalini to Detox and DeStress with Maya Fiennes.
I started practicing yoga about four years ago when I started having issues with my back. I have two herniated discs in my lower back and suffer from sciatica that causes numbness and pain from my hips down to my feet.
I threw my back out on multiple occasions, suffering with pain like no other, causing me to be bedridden for days at a time with a bottles of pain killers and muscle relaxers.
The doctors suggested surgery, but I was hesitant. Â I didn’t want anyone messing with my back, close to nerves, that if nicked, could cause much worse damage.
Since adding yoga into my regular routine, I am happy to report that its been over two years since I’ve suffered with a thrown out back. While I still have pain here, it is much improved.
Yoga and Endometriosis
Much of the lower back pain that I feel now is what I believe to be a symptom of endometriosis. My back pain intensifies prior to ovulation and my period and of course I feel aches and pains in other places too.
When my symptoms were worse worse yoga seemed to aggravate it. Too much twisting caused me cramps and spotting. I don’t experience this as much now.
I’ve since learned to avoid doing certain types of yoga, like power yoga for instance, a couple days prior to my period.
I avoid all inverted poses in the days leading up to my period and I refrain from doing yoga when I am on my period, as I feel like this is a time for my body to rest and rejuvenate.
My Love for Kundalini Yoga
My yoga experience changed when I discovered Kundalini Yoga. Kundalini Yoga is great for endometriosis as it helps calm the mind while incorporating specific movements aimed at detoxifying the body.
Different moves work on the liver, kidneys, adrenals, thyroid and more. I’ve found that it very much aids in my digestion and has helped with bouts of constipation. The twisting and turning involved gets things moving 🙂
I always feel very relaxed after a Kundalini session. I do feel like it is a more spiritual practice with more chants and mantras involved, but I enjoy this part.
This factor may mean it is not for everyone however. But if you can get past the “new-ageiness” then I promise you will love the benefits 🙂
On The Positive Side?
My morning yoga helps me face the day with a smile. It helps me remain more calm in stressful situations. I believe that yoga has helped with my circulation and overall pain levels associated with endometriosis.
It has helped me to better connect my breath with my body and has taught me the true importance of the breath. The deeper the breath, the more toxins released.
I’ve managed to use different breathing techniques I’ve learned from my yoga videos in times of pain. The power of the breath helps to calm the body and eliminate stress – two huge bonuses for gals with endometriosis.
Do you practice yoga too? Do you have any other DVD recommendations? I would love to hear from you in the comment section below….
Namaste 🙂
