warrior wellness, yoga and chiropractic

[dianneg]

Hello everyone-
I have a couple of questions for the tribe now that I have been practicing ww for awhile I am very addicted. I do it almost everyday. My core strength is increasing incrimentally. I am often amazed at the mobility that I have in my spine, moreso than what I have noticed from my yoga practice. That leads me to my question. I am having a hard time at this point in moving forward. For awhile I felt like there was so much to explore and now all of a sudden I feel as though I have bumped into a road block in terms of my practice and teaching (I'm afraid I am starting to sound like a broken record, or maybe that is just a reflection of my own stuff...??). I think what is happening is that I don't fully trust my capabilities and have never been one to tread on the edge, physically, and basically don't know how to even step forward. If I need to detail my practices I would be happy to do so. I would appreciate any advice towards leaping off the edge so to speak! :shock:

The other question I have relates to this in part because I have been treating immobilities in spine with chiropractic and yoga for about 1 year. The combination of warrior wellness leads me to believe that chiropractic, yet beneficial, is not a regular component that is necessary at this point. I had a chiropractor who believed I should be receiving treatment 1-2x per week. My condition is fairly normal, not the most even of spines, but then who has one, pelvic imbalances as well as muscular imbalances due to the curves among other reasons. I was in more pain going once a week than now having switched docs and going about every three for maintanence. I just wondered from those of you who are in this field of expertise what you think about frequency of chiropractic care in conjunction with ww and yoga.

thanks for listening and being here! :D :D
dianne germain

[Coach Gostnell]

Hi Dianne,
(This is strictly IMO - as a medical layperson to boot.) I'm fortunate in that I found a couple great chiropractors, Dr. Lori Inkrote, and Dr. Kevin Teagle (of this very Forum), for those times when that type of treatment was necessary. In a nutshell, neither seems to believe in long-term treatment in most cases, but that treatment should be for injuries, accidents, stuff like that, not as some kind of lifelong process for conditions that could be avoidable/fixable by patients themselves.

Besides WW, what I found made a huge difference is working with a massage therapist who specialized in myofascial release. I started w/ her about a year before learning about WW & had already noticed some very positive, even dramatic, changes. Went every week, then every two weeks, now about once a month. I've posted elsewhere about some of the improvements but the results of WW, massage & three visits last year w/ Dr. Teagle are: Very few sinus headaches, or headaches of any kind, & got rid of chronic low back pain from a injury a couple years ago.

Used to injure my neck/shoulders every winter doing firewood or shoveling snow. No prob the last couple years.

Interestingly, I have a friend - who turned me on to Dr. T and WW, yet seldom does WW herself - but who continues to be plagued w/ back & hip problems that require constant attention from a chiropractor (whose office is a two-hour drive away) that she's been seeing regularly since right after I became a regular "Wellness Warrior".

Things don't seem to be that much different with her than when she started, & now she's working w/ another person locally "to isolate and strengthen weak muscles" that contribute to her ongoing problems.

She was so discouraged the other night, and I gently suggested perhaps she should try WW again on a regular basis. (Twenty minutes a day maybe beats a four-hour drive every other week?) I can only hope she'll follow the lead she so kindly gave me a few years ago.

[Scott Sonnon]

Dianne,

Sometimes in our practice we get to a sticking point... like a membrane to our development. It represents a physical barrier to an emotional release and refinement. This is nothing you don't already know as a yogini. Often multiple methods are required, and even then they may be cumulative, and going back to the original approach may suddenly 'release' when it could not earlier.

There are two reasons for this: release and opening. Neither are really separable, and can be seen as mutually compatible. But one typically regards 'letting go' of a prior issue (physically, mentally and emotionally) and the other regards opening up to new possibilities (and responsibilities), like any development along the analog of the Chakras.

When I feel the approach of a membrane, I arm myself: consistent, incremental deepening of daily practice, feedback from a trusted compatriot on my physical practice, consistent, balanced nutrition to 'hold' the release and opening, diminishing additional stressors temporarily (work and family related) - not taking on any new tasks or projects or responsibilities until having surpassed the membrane, and a supportive community to help bolster any energetic 'valleys' from the duress it may create when facing.

Regardless of the actual issue, Jodie and I have found that the best approach is to be thankful for the opportunity to transcend ourselves. That we are given such challenges to release and open are Divine gifts, for without them we remain at lower levels, not able to express greater love for life.

We're with you, Dianne. It's never easy, but then again... what would be worthwhile that is? The opportunity for transcendence is the Gift itself.

[Scott Sonnon]

double post

[dianneg]

Coach Sonnon your intuitive ability is uncanny.


There are two reasons for this: release and opening. Neither are really separable, and can be seen as mutually compatible. But one typically regards 'letting go' of a prior issue (physically, mentally and emotionally) and the other regards opening up to new possibilities (and responsibilities), like any development along the analog of the Chakras.

Yes. This is surrender of the physical junk and emotional junk we carry around with us. Thank you for eloquently stating something that I couldn't put to words. I think it is very interesting that both you and Jeanne talked about fascia (membrane) both physically and metaphorically. Release in both areas can come, I believe, when we begin to understand experientially with the heart and the head and the body.



Jodie and I have found that the best approach is to be thankful for the opportunity to transcend ourselves. That we are given such challenges to release and open are Divine gifts, for without them we remain at lower levels, not able to express greater love for life.

This is beautiful. Divinity awaits all of us if and when we surrender and act with the Truth thereby attaining love and unity. Gratitude is one of the most important steps in this direction because if we were to never remember and be thankful for what we are given (painful or pleasurable) then we remain ignorant and greedy, the farthest point to expressing our love and appreciation for these Divine gifts.

The support here is tremendous and it makes my heart cry when I realize that everyone here reaches out to those of us whom they barely know. This is truly community at its finest, souls that have a common goal and want to work together towards union.

in peace,
dianne germain

[dianneg]

Jeanne-
thank you for your insight. My current chiropractor has done some myofascial release on my back as well. I hope to pursue more of that kind of body work and as well work towards finding wellness and healing through my own practice.
I wish your friend well and hopefully she too will discover the benefits of ww.
in peace,
dianne

[kcsportsdoc]

Hi Dianne,

In reading your posts as well as the rest of this thread, it strikes me that you seem poised for a big leap upward. I think your body has chafed a bit at the frequency of treatment you were receiving because intuitively you knew that you no longer required that much "facilitation".

Frequency of care is highly individualized. Perhaps at one point in your progress, you needed more treatment. But it certainly doesn't sound like that now. And it should be, IMHO, every practitioner's goal to lessen a patients' dependency, not maintain it.

I'm over here in Norwood, so it's difficult to say with any certainty, but my gut says you'll progress faster with less treatment and more self-reliance and daily practice. Pardon me if I lapse into the poetic, but I daresay that it's the "discomfort" of the chrysalis that causes the opening of the cocoon. You're ready. It's transformation time. Look how much you've accomplished to this point!

Stay with it.

(Again, just my gut talking. I may just be hungry. :D But I've learned to trust my instincts when it comes to such things.)

Best,

Kevin

[KEVIN TEAGLE]

Okay, so there is nothing more to be said at this point other than to say Well done to those who wrote before me, From Coach Sonnon, Jeanne and the Chiropractor. As a Chiropractor I highly respect those whose goal is to reduce treatment frequency and encourage self management.

You have been well directed Dianne, listen to those and enjoy new freedom. As a side note, As a musician, I practice many styles, and often recirculate back to the basics. My learning ability looks like a sine wave. Yet I practice frequently. I have to be willing to give my brain as well as my body time to organize data and figure out how to impliment that into my every day life.

Good luck and good health to ya.

Kevin Teagle DC

[JasonE]

kcsportsdoc:

"Pardon me if I lapse into the poetic, but I daresay that it's the "discomfort" of the chrysalis that causes the opening of the cocoon. You're ready. It's transformation time. Look how much you've accomplished to this point! "

Anais Nin:

"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom."

and one last thought...

Michelangelo:

"I saw the angel in the marble and I chiseled until I set it free."

You are the butterfly, the rose, the angel. Transform and become free. :D

[dianneg]

Thanks guys. I appreciate all the support and Kevin, you may be hungry but I'll venture to say that your gut is right. It's scary to let go of having someone else facilitate your well being and taking ahold of it yourself. But I know I have the backup here and the tools to move forward.

And all these poetic words are going to make me cry! (I'm a bit of a weeper, just ask my husband :lol:) Seriously though, it's a bit like being a trapeze artist letting go of one ring and dangling in mid-air momentarily until the next ring arises. That moment of dangling is the uncertainty, the doubt and also the freedom! It's ironic eh?!

dianne

[kcsportsdoc]

Ironic indeed AND scary. That'll make your inevitable success all the sweeter. :)

(BTW, I think Jason just lumped me in with Anais Nin and Michelangelo. I can die happy! Though Ninsie and Mike, as I now like to call 'em, are mightily ticked off! :lol: )

Best,

Kevin

[Coach Gostnell]

Though Ninsie and Mike, as I now like to call 'em, are mightily ticked off!

Ninsie & Mike? Can we get them to join the Forum? Anybody out there into Channelling? (No, Dr. T, that's NOT the same as Channel Surfing.)

[JasonE]

dianneg:

And all these poetic words are going to make me cry! (I'm a bit of a weeper, just ask my husband ) Seriously though, it's a bit like being a trapeze artist letting go of one ring and dangling in mid-air momentarily until the next ring arises. That moment of dangling is the uncertainty, the doubt and also the freedom! It's ironic eh?!

It's the moment you know that your life is truly in your own hands.

One more quote that I just came across:

Maria Housden:

"I realized that if I am not myself, then the person that people are loving is not me."

[dianneg]

JasonE wrote:

t's the moment you know that your life is truly in your own hands.

At any other time in my life I would have cringed at that statement and said no, no, we are not in control and we have to turn it over to a Higher Power. But now I do not re-act to it that way, surrender is key to understanding that we are but a small, very small part of the universe. However, True knowledge comes when you have made this realization and you are ready to act with this Truth and not depend upon others to fix you when you already have access to what you need.

That's not to say we won't need a little outside help from time to time but the foundation has been laid and hopefully we can build upon this solid
base to grow stronger, progress with ease and live more happily, contently, easily.

Coach Sonnon wrote:

When I feel the approach of a membrane, I arm myself: consistent, incremental deepening of daily practice, feedback from a trusted compatriot on my physical practice, consistent, balanced nutrition to 'hold' the release and opening, diminishing additional stressors temporarily (work and family related) - not taking on any new tasks or projects or responsibilities until having surpassed the membrane, and a supportive community to help bolster any energetic 'valleys' from the duress it may create when facing.

Thanks for providing this very practical approach to facing a new layer. It's grounding for me, which is always a good thing!! :lol:

dianneg

[Chuck Kechter]

At any other time in my life I would have cringed at that statement and said no, no, we are not in control and we have to turn it over to a Higher Power.

I've always thought that you and the universe (whatever name you give a higher power) were one. When surrendering to the universe, you are surrendering to yourself. The macro is the micro and vice-versa. Fractal images looked at from different ends of the telescope. . . The same image from different perspectives. . .

[Coach Gostnell]

we are not in control and we have to turn it over to a Higher Power.

Control is one thing - Responsibility is something else entirely.


Fractal images looked at from different ends of the telescope

Yes, and once you know TO look, you can see it everywhere...[/b]

[KEVIN TEAGLE]

Hey Dianne, now that you have some serious fuel from Kevin the Sports Doc, Jeanne the Evangelist, Chuck who looks at the universe with a focused eye, Jason who clearly states the obvious with his words and the greats who have gone on before him, and of course our Fearless leader who gently but powerfully nudges you on, I encourage you to light the fire and watch it glow. It will infect those around you. Please don't let time be your master, but rather use time as a gift to flavor all that you learn and do.

May we all contribute to you so that you will learn, experience, and then contribute back to us. We are humbly awaiting what you learn. Go get em"

Kevin Teagle DC

[dianneg]

Hey folks-
I just wanted to give you an update. The day this thread started my daughter rode her two wheeler without training wheels. She was very proud. She has been avoiding bike riding opting for her scooter because she was embarassed that at 8 and 1/2 she still had training wheels on her bike! But then she just did it. Her daddy let go of the back seat and she was off without even noticing his hand left the seat. She hasn't stopped riding since that night! :D

In some ways I feel the same as she, I've avoided certain activities because of fear of pain. But with the support from everyone here and the correct timing and training I have taken the training wheels off, last week I went hiking with my family and moved with such ease, my hips felt free as I knelt down and maneuvered my way up and down the hill. Gardening the past few days has been pain free, even when I rake!! I went for a bike ride with my daughter and husband this evening. It was so much fun! I know this sounds so simple but I haven't felt this kind of physical freedom in well, a very long time. It's as if the practice I do on the mat has become part of my life. I can now experientially say that yoga is life! Forgive my corniness! :oops: But I thought I would share with you all how you have helped and contributed upon this ongoing journey. I pray that I may do the same likewise! :P

much peace to all of you at Rmax.
dianne

[Coach Gostnell]

Forgive my corniness!

Nothing to forgive.
Nothing corny about:
It was so much fun! I know this sounds so simple but I haven't felt this kind of physical freedom in well, a very long time.

More like something of profound beauty - moving easily and enjoyably in your own body - both a gift & something you earned at the same time.

Best to you, Dianne!

[KEVIN TEAGLE]

Now that is healing at it's finest, and makes for a happy tribe. Bring on the corn and I'll bring the butter.

Kevin