We are human, it’s normal to have off days and feel frustrated and defeated. First things first, just accept this and when those days come actually feel the disappointment notice what you might try to do to run and avoid the discomfort. Is it food? Binge on tv? Binge on alcohol? Make your self so incredibly busy you don’t feel anything? I will certainly admit to using these escapes.
However, these days I try to catch myself first and use other nurturing methods to help work through the emotions for a few reasons, but mainly so:
- They are not stored in my body
- I learn the lesson I need to learn to help to grow so I don’t make the same mistake again
What are these methods? Well, let me tell you a story. I had a patient who ended up in my office following years of persistent low back pain. She told me “I just don’t understand why I’m not getting better! I look and feel younger than most 50 year olds my age. I practice yoga, I run, I read all that I can on health but I am overwhelmed because I don’t know how to help myself. I don’t know what information to believe because some of it on the internet is so conflicting. One day one exercise will help my back, and then the next time it will back my back worse. I have no idea what to do. I don’t even know if YOU can help me.”
After sitting down and chatting for some time this patient came to the realization that she was a driven perfectionist, and over achiever (which she kinda knew but never admitted). But, she was doing way too much to try to “heal” her back, she kept flaring it up day after day, year after year. On top of it she was such a perfectionist the fact that she couldn’t solve her problem, she would beat herself up over it. Suffice it to say she had a lot of those off days I mentioned above. But, instead of working through it she would over eat which would make her feel worse. So then she would over exercise leading her back pain to feel worse, not to mention she felt very fatigued and sore all the time. This was a pattern that had been going on for years.
So how did we put an end to this pattern? Well first we had to find the root source of the discomfort in her back, and find her own individualized program to help fix it. Then we had to calm down the inflammation and constant irritation. Which meant slowing down (not stopping) and just modifying her exercise routine to allow healing. Also, we had to work on her emotional state, we used relaxing essential oils combined with meditation to help her to work through uncomfortable emotions and avoid overeating. Because of her diligence she immediately began to feel a difference. She would wake up in the morning less sore and with more energy and a better outlook on life. Then she started noticing she could sit longer with less back pain, and eventually she began to ramp up her workouts again with no negative consequence because she had the support to aid in recovery and replenishment.
I tell you this story to remind you we all go through bad days, you are not along. However, they should not be all the time. So if you feel stuck, reach out to me I’m happy to help!!
There will be some upcoming in person ways at Ignite to move past stuck spaces as well:
Excited to Announce New Classes at Ignite!
Tuesday Feb 26th I will have a free Ignite Wellness Class on Solutions for Low Back Pain 5:30-7 at Ignite, taught by me. Please register here to save your spot (limit 8 people): LOW BACK CLASS
Yoga Therapy For the Low Back Class Series starting in March. This class series will be offered on Saturdays and Mondays in March for 4 weeks. You much register for all 4 classes since each class will build upon the previous and class size will be limited to 3 people so you will receive individualized attention. These classes will be taught by Yoga Therapists trained by me. Register here to save your spot:
Saturdays at 10-11:15am 3/9-30th
Mondays at 12-1:15pm 3/4-25th
Hope the beginning of 2019 has been filled with abundance!
Warmly,
Alison
PS- Watch this interview with Physical Therapist and Yoga Teacher Dava Nichol on the integration of Yoga & Physical Therapy, plus practical daily wellness tips:
