Yoga And Chronic Illness
Yoga and chronic illness
If you have a chronic disease and wish to maintain a regular yoga practise, Laia gives four crucial items to consider.
WARNING: This page discusses illness, disease, pain, and mental health issues.
Note: "Chronic sickness" is a broad phrase that encompasses a wide range of ailments, disorders, impairments, and diseases, each with its own set of symptoms and treatments. The impacts of chronic illnesses also vary. Some chronic illnesses start at birth, while others appear later in life.
One out of every three adults worldwide suffers from a chronic illness, and the number of people impacted by these illnesses grows every year.
Cancer, diabetes, heart disease, spinal cord injuries, Crohn's disease, Lupus, psoriasis, and other chronic disorders are examples. This article is based on my personal experience and viewpoint. I don't claim to speak for every person, chronic illness, or experience.
After my marriage, I was diagnosed with Crohn's illness. I had moved to America with my partner from my native Catalonia. I recall feeling overwhelmed by agony, discomfort, and uncertainty at the time. As a result, I began to explore yoga more deeply, not as a physical practise, but as the wholesome, inclusive, accessible, and possibly life-changing instrument that it was intended to be.
I had been doing yoga asana on and off for several years. It was enjoyable and stimulating for me. Yoga made me feel less scattered because I had no choice but to be present with my body and myself for 60 to 75 minutes, and the more I practised, the longer I could be present after yoga class ended. There was no room for vinyasa flows, headstands, or crow after my first Crohn's flare-up.So, after a short period of anger and denial resulting from the feeling that my body couldn’t perform “as it should”, I was blessed with the opportunity to dive deeper into other aspects of yoga. While researching complementary treatments for my disease, my partner suggested meditation as it had helped him through his own health challenges. I decided to give it a try.
Chronic disease intrigues me because it allows me to feel tremendously powerful, present, and ready to take on the world on any given day. However, I may not have enough energy the next day to get through the day performing the very minimum. When I found that yoga (physical, meditation, or breath work) helped my symptoms, I knew I needed to practise every day.It became essential, non-negotiable, like getting enough sleep, or taking time to walk in nature, read, or play video games weekly. A daily yoga practice is a true commitment. Many of us become overwhelmed by our lack of time or struggle to manage the time we do have. With chronic illnesses, the possibility of feeling unwell adds to the stress of undertaking such a commitment.
I make yoga a priority in my life because it allows me to check in, disconnect from the outside world, and get perspective. I can examine my patterns, habits, inner dialogue, and how I interact with myself and the world when I practise every day. As a result, I can often control my illness's symptoms with mindfulness and less anxiety.
4 things to think about when it comes to yoga and chronic illness
If you have a chronic condition and want to start practising yoga on a daily basis, consider the following:
1. Movement is beneficial but not necessary.
When my Crohn's disease flares up, I forget what it's like to be healthy. As a result, I make it a point to move my body whenever I can. This can be accomplished through one-hour vinyasa sessions or even a few sun breaths in bed. By removing stagnated energy, movement releases endorphins and lowers tension. Preconception improves with movement, as does balance, strength, and muscle tone. So, when you have the opportunity, move as much or as little as you need to. It's easy to get caught up in the sense that you need to do more. However, learning to check in with yourself and listen to your body makes accomplishing only what you are capable of simple.
2. The importance of meditation
Having a daily meditation regimen allows me to be consistent with my yoga practise, whether I'm experiencing symptoms or feeling terrific. Meditation necessitates mental rather than physical effort. Even if I'm exhausted, I can create time for meditation by setting a daily goal of 10 to 15 minutes. It's not about shutting off the mind, but rather about being the observer of thought patterns, inner conversations, and emotions.
Meditation and breathwork (pranayama) are excellent techniques to check in with oneself first thing in the morning. I can obtain insight on what activates or calms me if I study my mind often enough. I acquire insight into what is and isn't working in my life. If I can control my breath when I'm calm and in a comfortable environment, I can control it when things get unpleasant.
Try Esther Ekhart's 20 Mindful Minutes programme for help keeping a regular meditation practise.
3. Journalism can be used as an awareness tool.
One of my favourite ways to enhance and keep track of the awareness I gain via meditation and pranayama is to journal. You may require different writing prompts depending on your chronic illness. Consider what factors you could track and what can ease symptoms or provide you comfort to acquire insight on what aggravates symptoms.
Among the prompts are:
What is my current physical state?
What are my concerns?
What brings me happiness?
In my life, what is working?
What in my life isn't working?
What do I want to experience?
What is one thing I can do today to help me feel more like myself?
The more I can connect with how I'm feeling, the easier it is for me to express myself in writing. The more I journal, the more I can recognise when I'm losing my balance and sliding into routines that don't benefit me and can potentially cause me discomfort.
4. Rethink the definition of productivity.
Living with a chronic disease can be daunting in a world that wants us to be 100 percent productive at all times. Whether you work full-time, are self-employed, stay at home with your children, or have disabilities, it's critical to emphasise self-care, rest, and compassion toward oneself. Consider self-care as a method of productivity. Your health should take precedence in your life. When you incorporate yoga into your self-care practise, you will learn to recognise indications and behaviours that will serve as reminders to focus on your health and build better routines to be present and feeling well.
"Think of self-care as a means to be more productive. Your health should take precedence in your life."
I discovered a new appreciation for the skills of yoga and meditation in 2020, when the global epidemic was at its apex. As the world fell apart and many people's physical and mental health suffered, I found solace in knowing that the tools I practise on my mat and on my meditation cushion every day are resources I can call upon when life becomes tough. These tools will help me manage not only my disease, but also my life.
Being diagnosed with a chronic illness has taught me about the fluid and ever-changing aspect of life, as well as the ultimate reality that change is the only constant. No matter what is going on in my body, my life, or the world around me, practising yoga and meditation is, in my humble view, a fantastic method to create resilience, mindfulness, and serenity.
We have no control over the conditions in which we are born. We have no control over the diseases, disorders, or tragedies that will strike. However, we may develop practises, support networks, and routines that will help us face life's obstacles with strength and love.