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Breathe Deep

I've had a strange month of next to NO exercise after a painful fall on my coccyx in early June thanks to rollerblading. I was forced to rest and be off my feet during the first few weeks (very difficult for me) and even then, in the weeks that followed, I was going through a lot of pain every day and had to take it easy. Today for the first time in more than a month, I did my Rodney Yee AM Yoga class and started back on a routine of working out ... every day ... I hope. I've done his yoga class on my living room floor for a few years, and I'm always glad to start the day with it.

In the meantime, Rodney Yee's been a lot busier than I have, doing yoga, teaching yoga and now ... he's blogging! He's just launched a new blog over at Yahoo Health Expert Blogs. I think healthcare and blogs go hand-in-hand and that we will see many more communities of wellness using blogging as a natural way to connect.

This morning as I unrolled my mat and got down on the floor (something I could barely do a month ago), I was so grateful that I'm well enough to work out again, glad I had the time to think about my life, and optimistic that I can rebuild my strength to where I was before I fell.

When you do a regular workout practice every day, you quickly notice which parts of your body are tense, which muscles are strained or injured, and where you need to focus. Today, I expected a lot of pain and tightness in my coccyx, pelvis, glutes.

What surprised me more than anything was how injured MY BREATHING was. This may sound strange, but I noticed I was breathing very unevenly and in a shallow, fearful way, as if each breath might result in a sharp new pain. If you've done even a small amount of yoga, you know the ability to breathe deeply matters a lot. And you know that excellence in your life is helped immeasurably by a foundation of physical wellness. So I'm truly back at ZERO, as I start today up the ladder towards physical wellness by simply remembering how to breathe.

Halley Suitt posted this on 07/26/05.

Comments

Halley,
Rodney Yee is amazing! Thanks for the heads-up on his blog.

On Tom's recommendation awhile back, my wife and I have added a "Morning Cup of Yoga" to our daily routines- what a huge difference these few minutes have made to our days.
Best,
Dave

Posted by Dave O. at July 26, 2005 9:05 AM

Halley, sorry to hear about the fall. It must be especially hard as it seems you lead an active life. Perhaps Rodney Yee would believe that a little in-activity would be good for you.

Thanks for bringing Mr. Yee the fore. I was particularly struck by "...During most physical endeavors, I realize that I am working too much -- whether Iâ€™m doing yoga poses, conversing, holding on to the steering wheel too tight, walking, etc...."

I have been thinking about learning Yoga when we relocate to Bellingham WA this year. I'll take this as an omen and expedite the action!

Thanks!

Posted by Tom O'Leary at July 26, 2005 9:13 AM

Yes, thanks for the tip, Halley.

I have a few friends who do Yoga and they look incredible and so relaxed compared to ten years ago. Here in Japan (aka:"stress city") Yoga is becoming very popular for working professionals, especially women. This is a good thing...I hope it is not a fad.

Thanks for pointing out the health blogs! Here's a gem from one today:

The Non-Diet Approach to Healthy Living by Cheryl Koch, R.D.

"...researchers at the University of California, Davis have just found that a healthy lifestyle is better for individual health than food restriction."

http://blogs.health.yahoo.com/experts/weightkoch/104/the-non-diet-approach-to-healthy-living

Yes, sounds common-sensical, and I suppose it is. But why, then, do Americans in particular spend so much effort trying to suppress natural desires and go on impossible diets? Diets never last. Only a healthy lifestyle can endure over time... Is the diet industry to blame? Thanks, again.

Posted by Garr Reynolds at July 26, 2005 9:15 AM

Re: impossible diets

I've studied yoga for close to 35 years, not seriously enough that I consider myself "advanced" (one class a week, with a little practice in between, is all I can manage). But it's made a big difference in my strength, my flexibility, and above all my physical self-awareness.

Which brings us to diets. I spent 25 years of my life (starting at age 12) trying to achieve a weight I was never meant to be. When I realized that, I blew off diets completely for nearly 20 years. Then I learned that my glucose was a tad high, and my doctor was all for putting me on a diabetic diet. I felt that this was too drastic, so I decided to keep track of what I ate.

I bought a book of calorie counts and kept a notebook of my daily totals. Once I became aware of my habits, I realized that I could cut back on certain things -- smaller portions, less mindless snacking -- without causing myself discomfort. In a year and a half, I lost over 40 lbs. I've bounced back up a bit since then, but I'm still 35 lbs under my peak weight, and I look and feel a lot better.

My point is that awareness -- not fad diets, not stringent calorie restrictions -- is the key to maintaining a healthy weight. How many times have you been at a business lunch or dinner, cleaned your plate, but been so focused on the conversation that you don't even remember what you ate? Not only does awareness improve your health, but it helps you appreciate your food better, and that's always a good thing.

Posted by Paula at July 26, 2005 10:49 AM

I'm currently on a two-week business trip to India.

Notwithstanding the country's widespread poverty (and its many other social and economic problems), the emphasis on spiritual wellbeing is heart warming.

During my trip I'm meeting business owners and managers. I practice yoga most days, so I've been very interested to learn that many of them put time aside daily for meditation or yoga.

On the TV in the mornings there's the usual aerobic classes from the US, or advertorials for the latest device promising users 'rock hard abs'. The emphasis is very much on appearance.

On the Indian channels, by contrast, there are yoga and meditation tutorials to start the day where, clearly, it doesn't matter what you look like.

The companies I have visited are no less successful because the people running them take a more cerebral and spiritual approach to their lives and their work.

There's a noticeable absence of machismo and selfishness, even though there are few women in senior positions. Could this be linked to the widespread practice of yoga and the pursuit of inner peace and happiness? I'm convinced.

I know plenty of over-aggressive, caffeine fuelled Western business managers who could achieve so much more if they cut out the copious amounts of coffee, spent less time preening their fragile egos and more time in self-reflection.

More power to Rodney Yee and the yoga movement.

Posted by matt at July 26, 2005 10:52 AM

Intense training is what some crave - as alternative to yoga/pilates - running/eliptical trainer every day, weight lifting twice a week, tennis, martial arts. Plus then hanging from a gravity inversion table to stretch, and exercise the core area for a few minutes/day.

Eat Right for Your Type, by Peter J. D'Adamo, N.D. - for type O's like myself he prescribes intense physical exercise. Lifetime bodyfat at about 7%. Consult someone who's always been a hardbody - rather than the 40 lb. loser/gainer or worse the 100 lb. loser/gainer that too often is featured on TV for some reason [can't turn the channel fast enough]. http://www.dadamo.com/

Posted by Sean at July 26, 2005 11:28 AM

I agree, more people should be using blogs to communicate about wellness. On my dental website, I have a link to a newsletter that goes to my blog. I try to discuss different topics that I believe will be pertinent to overall wellness. Those of us in the health profession should start embracing the web to communicate to our patients. Although blogs don't substitute visits to the doctor, it supplements regular activities towards wellness. Thanks for inspiring us Tom!

Posted by Chithra Durgam at July 26, 2005 2:30 PM

Brilliant Halley - well said.

I just wish my own UK National Health Service recognised the value and use of Blogs.

There is no doubt 'self care' is the future in healthcare - in reality 'twas ever thus!

The real experts in healthcare are patients working in partnership with clinicians and the sooner we can see grown up and inter-active dialogue about healthcare the better as far as I am concerned.

I speak as a healthcare management veteran of 35 years in the UK National Halth Service.

By the way ...hope you are feeling better.

Posted by Trevor Gay at July 26, 2005 5:18 PM

Get well Halley,

Must admit, the first thing that hit me with this post was "Tom rollerblades?"

Posted by Tim Almond at July 27, 2005 8:36 AM