YOGA FOR LIFE: CALMING PAIN

YOGA FOR LIFE

YOGA:  CALMING PAIN

By

Nancy Dale, Ph.D.

July 24, 2017

It is amazing that when Life takes an unexpected turn into the world of pain, we are awakened to a state of physical and mental acuteness about our precious health.  Today, in the United States there will be more than l million new cancer cases diagnosed (American Cancer Society).  Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women (National Breast Cancer Society) and more than 160,000 new cases of prostate cancer is expected to be diagnosed in 2017.   Until we or someone dear to us learns that they are the “victim” of a disease or critical accident, we are unattached to actual physical/emotional pain.

Often we “compartmentalize” pain and do not confront it until it is critical and alters our physical/mental/emotional well-being.  Yoga is not a panacea for healing disease or accidental injuries but it can provide a constructive outlet to “unlearn” pain through relaxation and intention.  When our mind give way to chronic stress and pain, we are suppressing the immune system when what we really desire to focus on is reducing  the suffering by re-framing our thinking and reinforcing our healing.  We may not be able to drastically alter physical pain due to conditions but we can alter how we think about it and begin to transmute anguish into a positive healing force.  The “intention” to transpose pain into healing is one of the lessons of Yoga.

LET’S PRACTICE:

1.       Adjusting our “Intention” to overcome an unpleasant experience over time involves our mind/body/emotions in a positive reinforcing activity to re-frame our thinking.

2.      Relax the mind first through slow breathing either by lying down or in a comfortable seated position.  If injury limits mobility, find a way to relax the body physically then begin the slow breathing to relax the mind/emotions.

3.      Observe your intention to “let go” of pain, mentally/physical/emotionally as your breathe.  With each breath go deeper into a calmer consciousness letting go of anxiety. Keep your attention focused on a relaxed mental state and visualize every deep inhale as a “healing breath.” 

4.      Create a fresh mental state of mind releasing negative thoughts about your circumstances and except the present moment with your intention to move forward not dwelling on limitation.

5.      Our solution to pain can be re-shaped and replaced by seeds of positive thoughts leading to positive action and promoting healing.

6.      Self-healing begins in the mind to let go of how an injury/disease is perceived.

7.      Visualize yourself surrounded by “beauty” and visualize your recovery.   Place yourself by a tranquil stream in the cool of the morning watching the clouds float by.  Discover your own place of tranquility to “escape” and clear time to experience this emptiness where you are completely present without negative thoughts about pain.  Think of pain as part of the “healing process.”

Yoga is a practice, as we always say, so “just do it!”  You will find a way.  Being with your intention to practice a few of the Yoga postures we have discussed will awaken our presence with into positive transformation.  We are responsible for how we perceive life as it happens.

This is a Yoga meditation practice.  Reaffirm your intention to focus on a healthy mind/body/emotions and regenerate the Spirit of life

 

“What You Can Do, or Dream You Can, Begin It; Boldness Has Genius, Power, and Magic in It.”

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe