Sunday Reflections: Practice what you preach

Well, of all the stupid things I have done in my brief time on the planet, I'm particularly impressed with myself this week. After talking with our family doctor, I have apparently sprained my stomach muscles.

Okay. A little more specifically... FMS patients are prone to muscle pains as it is, and even more so to spasms. I used to have spasms in the back more frequently than I do now. The yoga largely keeps that under control. But, on Friday evening, I let my blood sugar drop before practice. For anyone, this puts you in a bad place. Your muscles will resist any pressure you put it through. So, this combined with the intense cold weather that came out of nowhere (or from Louisville maybe... Thanks, Tristan... keep your nasty weather to yourself!), I have sprained my... I think he called it the ubliqus something-or-other.

I've been having these stomach spasms since last night and they became much worse this morning. It didn't let it up until I taught class this afternoon... in a heated room. According to the good doctor, the fact that heat helps with the spasms indicates even more that it's a sprain.

So, all this evening, I've been sitting here with the cat and with a heating pad on my mid-section. When I told my mother, she naturally scolded me for the way I take care of myself (and I could hear Daddy calling from the other side of the room to drink more beer to put some warm fat on my belly... Thanks... I think...).

Well, she's right, really. I'm in a bizarre transition period physically. I've been practicing yoga for nearly six years, but I've been involved with hot yoga for one year now. The heat changes everything... the intense physical activity has both improved my condition and put me in a position to be more mindful. Everytime I start to push it, start to think I'm now invincible, yoga practice reminds me of who I really am, what my limits are, where I need to take special care of myself.

I tell people in class all the time to "honor your body," "listen to your body," and "be kind to yourself." And yet, I'm not practicing what I preach. I've been known to skip meals until late in the evening if I'm too busy, can't be bothered. It's never intentional... it's just a bad habit. Denying myself is a special talent of mine. I guess it's the most American aspect of my character... pushing and pushing until something is broken.

Obviously this doesn't make much sense... and I doubt that I'm alone in this brand of senselessness. How can I offer my students, my friends, or my family any good energy if I don't have any left for myself? So, you mothers, stubborn mules, hard workers, and worriers keep that in mind. You're no good to others if you don't take care of yourself. That sounds simplistic, but it's true and it's going to catch up with you...

...like with something that makes you feel stupid. A sprained stomach... Come on! Who does that? Seriously?

(from http://slog.thestranger.com)