Yoga is making a big difference!

I have so far only been reading about the power of yoga and ayurveda. I have been even contemplating practicing it seriously for quite some time now. That I have been unable to do so, for whatever reasons, is another story.

Like I have written earlier, it is probably the case of the spirit willing, but the flesh being weak. In my case, working out, walks, and various other forms of exercise have been happening, no doubt, but in fits and starts. The more I have been reading about yoga, and I have had ample opportunity to do so in recent months, the more I am tempted to take it up as a full time exercise activity.

However, like they say, it sometimes takes a jolt, a kick in the butt, or some sudden
realization sometimes to actually get down to brass tacks and actually make something happen. In my case, that happened a couple of days back. My mother has been suffering from a few things associated usually with ageing. One of these, and it has been causing her considerable pain over the past few months, is cervical spondylitis.

It manifested physically as a severe pain in her right hand, starting initially at the shoulder region and then moving down over time right to the palm. We tried everything – medication, physiotherapy, even traction – but nothing worked fully. The pain was there in some degree all the time.

Things reached a point where she could not even clench her fist, or hold a cup properly. As the pain raged, so did the temper. Matters reached breaking point one
day, and it was then I thought of trying yoga. I managed to get her to a good yoga instructor. She was wary initially, because she feared that it might involve postures that could aggravate the pain – that is what happened when she was undergoing physiotherapy. However, after being assured that no such thing would happen, she agreed to give it a try.

It has been a few days now, and the results are amazing! The pain has reduced considerably now. She is able to clench and unclench her fist, and also hold things in her right hand comfortably. The yoga instructor says it will still be a while before she is 100 percent okay, but get there she will.

The relief and happiness on her face is something to see. She is no longer ill-tempered, and is generally happy. If this is what yoga can do, I think I need to take it up seriously as well….

Add comment September 8th, 2006 Written By: daisy