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January 2007
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Ask yourself, “How do I feel?” When feeling fresh you can penetrate more into an asana. In the first stage one must relax and restore, then the penetration should be such that the consciousness comes closer to the affected area. That is called Penetration. At this point the body, breath, and mind remain united in operating on the healing of the affected region. The state of mind is most important in cancer patients. A wandering mind, even though one is in asana, results in faster deterioration. Therefore, one must learn to keep the brain quiet and cool by making the mind penetrate inward. This is especially important in a group practice or class when patients often watch what others are doing instead of looking within, penetrating inwards, so the healing process is faster. - Geeta Iyengar
. . . ALL HEALING must be and IS of a deeper source than just the administration of a drug, of the knife, . . . - Edgar Cayce
Do not run away from experience. Let every experience be the opportunity for self-discovery - Vimala Thakar
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"You're kidding." My husband and I hadn't rehearsed what to say when your spouse tells you they have cancer. I was calling from the pathologist's office and hoped that he would say something that would remove the pit from my stomach. He didn't. Instead there was a long silent pause as each of us searched for what to say next. Neither of us knew what to say, so, I dove into details. By talking about something as objective as who, what, where, and when kept me from dwelling on any fears or anxiety that was trying to take hold of me. I told him all I knew and gave him the short version of my epic day so far; another long silent pause. I told him the pathologist's recommendations; another pause. I told him that she offered to make appointments before I left her office if I decided which physicians I thought would be best for me. She said that things would move along quicker if she handled the appointments than if I did. It was all moving too fast and it would remain so throughout treatment. I don't believe it was her intent to rush me into treatments without giving me time to think. Yes, early treatment is good, but even better is keeping patients’ attention on plans and processes, not the possible gloom and doom of ‘what ifs.’ Not a bad strategy, for me anyway. “Well, what do you think?” Finally, something from my husband. He deferred to me throughout treatment. It was my diagnosis and ultimately every decision had to be mine. About the only thing we disagreed on was where I should get treatment. He thought I should go to a cancer center. The one he liked was not too far away and is highly regarded by the medical community. But, I wanted to stay near home. I never regretted this decision. Before receiving the results of this mammogram I had often wondered if I would forego the allopathic route using only alternative means of healing if I ever received a life threatening diagnosis. When it came down to it I only considered that for a fraction of a second. I respect technology and feel that modern medicine has gifts from which I can benefit, and have. My left knee was rebuilt after a skiing accident. It took 7 years for the knee to return to the 95% my surgeon promised, but return it did. My son was a 2-pound baby and the neonatal care he received was, need I say it, life saving. No, I decided pretty quickly to subject myself to the inconvenient, uncomfortable treatment that my oncologists recommended. The same week I made appointments with two oncologists and a surgeon I also made appointments with my acupuncturist and naturopath. In addition, I contacted my yoga mentors, who prescribed postures and pranayama designed to help bolster my immune system, improve energy, deal with nausea, and cope with stress. I wrote to Geeta Iyengar whose return note further reinforced my resolve. In her response it was clear she was supportive of my decisions. She sent details of the yoga sequences and pranayama that would be best for me during and after treatment. There have been many times in my life that I have felt blessed to have invested the time I have in my yoga practice and study. Yoga asana gives strength and flexibility. Illness and injury help us to see that the strength and flexibility of this practice is much more than physical or mental. With each of life's transitions I have had to adjust my approach to yoga. While I would love to revisit my practice of 20 years ago, that is not the way for me today. Cancer and its treatment required me to modify my practice in a profound way. I was never a fan of restoratives. My poor students rarely got much in the way of relaxation at the end of class. I figured—you can do that at home. I never wanted my teacher to spend much time in relaxation at the end of class either. I was there to learn all she could teach me, and for that, I believed, I had to be upright, at least have my eyes open. Pranayama sessions dispelled this illusion for me a bit, because we often would sit and there was always some instruction, not just lying down with my self, doing nothing. That's what the yoga sequences during and after cancer treatment demanded. I was forced to face myself. The postures were mostly supported so I didn't have to worry about falling over. I did not get to watch the dance of breath and muscle with the constant struggle with gravity. Rather than being concerned with this or that action I had to learn to the wait for the release of tension. I had to lie still and watch my breath. I had to be with my self. There was nowhere to hide. I was learning better to appreciate experience for its own sake. I did not know, and still do not know, how long cancer will threaten me. I am learning to live life with less attachment to controlling life. The best healthcare providers know that the most important element in treatment for any injury or disease is healing the person. Only then is there a cure. While I was in treatment a fellow cancer survivor told me there were great lessons to be learned from this experience. I arrogantly replied that, as I had trekked the path of self-knowledge my entire life, surely God had made a mistake sending me such a daunting assignment. I was wrong. Lesson after lesson after lesson continues still 3 years after my diagnosis. The cancer experience has given me so much more than it has taken. When one door closes another opens and my yoga practice has always been the doorman. For this I am thankful. \Om, Shanti, Shanti, Shanti\
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Supported Purvottanasana
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When I talked with Geeta Iyengar and reported the sorts of things that breast cancer survivors at support groups told me about their physical activity, she became agitated. Most doctors feel safe in telling their patients to “just walk”. She said that walking, while good for the body, did nothing to heal the cells that were being destroyed with the treatment these same physicians were prescribing. She suggested that everyone receiving treatment for breast cancer should, at the very least, be instructed in supported purvottanasana. There are many methods that we can create build the support for this posture when we have props readily available. However, special benches and cushions are not necessary. Remember that many of Iyengar’s props were originally pieces of household furniture. Purvottanasana can be set up on the edge of a bed using blankets, pillows and cushions that are lying about the bedroom. This posture opens the chest and allows circulation to the chest wall where breast cancer survivors may have surgical scars and/or radiation burns. The skin, connective tissues, lungs and heart are allowed to stretch slowly with the rise and fall of the breath, which comes more deeply and slowly the longer one stays in the pose. 5—10 minutes is good.
Photo Courtesy Bob Hails |
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Volume
8 Issue 1
