Since I was diagnosed in 1997, I have tried an unimaginable number of times to find an exercise that would get me up and moving, and not send me spiraling back down into FM hell right after. Try and fail. Try and fail. I tried and failed so many times that I became fearful of trying again. I HATE PAIN! I AM SICK OF PAIN! Why was I constantly putting myself through that vicious cycle? Well, for one because I missed exercise and being active, and two, because deep down I still believed that the less I moved, the more intense and chronic my pain. Even with Fibromyalgia, it is possible and important to exercise, and yet I still continued to fail. Something as seemingly simple as a short and gentle walk could send me into a two week flare-up. I wish I could see all of you nodding your heads right now, because I know you understand what I am talking about.

Now let me tell you why yoga is different. Yoga is not painful! After numerous sessions over the past two months I have not had a single flare-up caused by yoga. Yoga is about the freedom of movement; slow, gentle, controlled movements during which your muscles are active but not strained. Yoga is personal. It is not competitive. If the person next to you can reach their toes and you cannot – so what! It is your session. Do your best and get your most out of it. Next time I bet you will reach further and if you stick with it, eventually you will reach your toes. I was a sprinter in high school. I have short, strong, compact muscles – but I can visible see my muscles elongating! I can feel the long stored tension releasing. My body changes with each session, and I like the changes I am seeing. But that is just an esthetic bonus really. The real reason I am loving yoga is because without a doubt, my Fibromyalgia symptoms are improved since I began practicing. My overall pain and stiffness is improved, my mental clarity has increased, I sleep better and wake up more refreshed. 

Today was my first day back after a two week break. I did not intend to take a two week break, but we went on vacation, and while there I suffered a minor concussion, which of course lead to an FM flare. Maybe if I was not dealing with dizziness and nausea from the concussion, I might have tried to practice yoga through the flare, I am not sure. I cannot tell you how or if you should practice while in a flare because I have not tried, but I can only say that on a average day, with mild to normal FM symptoms, yoga is not only doable, it is restorative. I have yet to leave a session feeling worse than when I arrived.

So here is my advice. Try it. Find a yoga studio, a YMCA or a community center and look for the GENTLE yoga class. Most studios charge $10-$15 dollars for a session, but if you purchase packages, each session costs less. Talk to the instructor. Let them know you have Fibromyalgia, that you may need modifications to some of the poses, and that this is your first time trying yoga. If a pose hurts, DON”T DO IT. Personalize the class to your needs. Don’t feel like you need to compete with those around you. Relax, breathe deep, and enjoy the experience.

If going to a studio is not an option for you, there are tons of DVD’s on yoga. I do not have a personal recommendation, but again look for the for gentle practice yoga. After a quick search on Amazon I located a well reviewed DVD called Yoga for Healing – 5 out of 5 stars – for $39.95. Sounds like a great choice! Read the reviews for yourself and consider it. Be sure to invest in a good mat too, and don’t be afraid to use a blanket or towel for extra padding and comfort.

I cannot emphasis enough how much I have come to love yoga and the way it makes me feel. My goal is to do three to four sessions a week, but I have been doing more like one or two, and even at this infrequent rate I am seeing and feeling the benefits. We all need as many tools as possible to make living with Fibromyalgia less painful and more bearable. I still believe one day I will be symptom free, and I know when I get there, yoga will have played a huge part in my freedom from chronic illness.

4/30

It began as an average Sunday morning – sleep in, go to a leisurely breakfast at our favorite cafe, hit the grocery store and buy something to grill for dinner, head back to the house, walk the dog and then assume the position – me at my computer and Rob wherever he lands with his laptop. Rob made a call to one of his friends who just happened to mention he was walking around Balboa Park at the Healing Arts Festival. “The what?” I said. “The Healing Arts Festival?” “What is it and why didn’t I know about it?” So I immediately got online and looked it up.

The festival was organized and sponsored by The Alternative Healing Network, 501(c)(3) non-profit of San Diego. Their purpose is to educate the community and promote the use of alternative medicine as a path to increased health and well-being. Sounds like a great event right? We thought so too so we hopped in the car and headed down there. 

It was a beautiful day in San Diego today and the park was packed. Tons of natural health booths, two stages with bands playing, yoga and qi gong sessions going on, and people everywhere. I am pretty sure dog beach was deserted today because there were almost as many dogs as people at the festival. So we walked around and I made as many contacts and connections as I could. I am always on the lookout for health and wellness information to share with my fibromyalgia support group, and a new potential guest speaker to come share their expertise at one of our educational meetings. I was not let down.

I don’t know what it is about the holistic community, but by far, they are the community most eager to help and share their knowledge and skills with my group. They are truly and genuinely interested in what I am trying to achieve as a group leader, and also in helping each and everyone of the members improve our health and well being. They are sympathetic and understanding of chronic illness, but believe strongly that our health and quality of life can improve, and they are passionate about helping us learn how. Of course they have a financial interest when they donate their time to come speak at our meetings. Of course they are hoping to gain new patients and of course their services are not free. They did not spend 9 hours today manning their booths for the simple joy of it. They did it to increase community knowledge and awareness of alternative medicine and healing. Participate in a yoga session, lay down for a free massage, and then sit down and experience the healing effects of music. Sounds like a nice time doesn’t it? And what a bonus to head home feeling better and stronger than when you left. Some of the practices may call for a more open mind then others, but they are all meant to help heal the body, achieve emotional freedom, and improve ones quality of life. 

I am overjoyed with the contacts I made today, especially the great contact I made with the Chopra Center, and so glad that we made the spontaneous decision to head down there. Of course it means that now I am sitting here writing my post at 8:30 at night. But as long as I get it in by midnight, I will get an A on my writing assignment for the day. I should have been a teacher. I am such an easy grader!

2/30