Heal yourself

On the aforementioned neck issue, I also saw a western medicine orthopedic surgeon whose answer was to do an MRI to verify that I had a bulged disc and then inject it with steroid shot. I asked why it can't be injected without the $1300 MRI? Answer: procedure and uncertainty.

Holistic health

I was already certain and becoming skeptical of western medicine protocol. Chiropractic (kinesiology style) was the answer, but first was reducing the inflammation with ibuprofen and ice. This diminished the size of the disc, giving the vertebrae (bone) less reason to be pushed out of alignment. This allowed the chiropractic adjustments over three weeks to relieve pressure from the nerves which took over my arm. Muscles in my tricep still twitched years later until... Mysore Ashtanga yoga.

Listen to your body

The daily Ashtanga yoga utilizes my triceps and arms to the extent they needed in order to regain muscle memory. At this point in my Mysore yoga practice, I don't even need to go to a chiropractor for my neck, as my practice provides that for me, plus a lot more. My injury was my teacher though.

Stay in balance

I feel dramatic physical changes when I’m psychologically disrupted (starting with my mind's thoughts). When this happens—sometimes brought on by my intensive yoga poses that release trapped energy—my body reacts by changing its release of hormones.

Intuitively, staying in balance is imperative (physiologically, psychologically, spiritually). I feel the innate ability to balance myself out no matter what.

Mysore Ashtanga releases toxins

It’s a trickier task with my Mysore yoga as I go everyday regardless, and do the same sequence each day. This is my practice of subtle balance (no pun intended). If I’m tired, I go slower; if I’m heated, I cool off; if i’m in pain, I don’t go as deep into aggravating inflamed body parts; if I'm emotional, I prepare myself during heart-opening poses (backbends) by noticing what’s happening.

After yoga, I take good care of my state of being (to balance out) with either rest, epsom salt bath, private seclusion, warming/cooling foods/liquids, writing, etc.

Energy redirected to overcome imbalance

Stress can be defined as the Nervous System’s "fight or flight" system recruiting the body’s energy stores to overcome imbalance with hormones. The subtle body has its own way of disrupting the field—one being the loss of the spirit connection.

Yin and Yang are Traditional Chinese Medicine’s interdependency of opposites. There cannot be activity without rest.

Ashtanga yoga cleansing is challenging

Just knowing that my Mysore practice is training my entire system to integrate its teaching and balance out makes me smile. Sometimes sleeping it off is the best way to counter balance stress and fatigue (as toxins) as they cleanse their way out of my system after yoga. Also, learning to balance the right and left sides of the brain. And keep going to yoga.

“Do your yoga, and all is coming." ~Pattahbi Jois