April '07
 4/11 9:18pm: I don’t really have anything to write about, but it is April 11th and it’s snowing
pretty hard here in Chicago. That unto itself is worth a mention. I’m not sure what the implications are other than it’s Spring and I’m freezing
my ass off when I should be outside on a Golf course!
I’m actually headed back to WMass for a few days and so looking forward to it. I’ll spend time with friends, teach a bit, rehearse with the band and most importantly
see Emma. She’s had a bad cold for a couple of weeks. Not a big deal for most, but at 98 she’s precious cargo.
I think the thing I’m most looking forward to is a good hike up something called
a mountain!! It is FLAT here in Chicago-Land. I truly love everything about being here, but I imagine I will be taking regular
trips back east to keep the band rehearsed and to head up Mt’s. Tom and Skinner
and scurry about Conway State Forrest.
I think we’ve found an amazing space for the yoga studio. It’s large enough to really support a “community” and I can foresee hosting
regular events such as lectures and music performances. It’s a very unique space and the whole thing seems to be coming together nicely. I’ve been teaching for quite a while now and I’ve learned so much. I’m so ready
to have my own studio and to call my own shots. Like it or not, I’m a leader who likes to call his own shots. I’m also a good soldier, but in this arena I’m over-due to apply my knowledge
and run the show. We’re planning on being up and running by the Fall.
I’m also anticipating the arrival of something called Spring and Summer. I’m looking forward to enjoying the lake here, but not today…
 4/20 12:24p: Life just kinda' comes atcha'! One day you've got it all and the next day you're on your ass (and visa versa).
I've come to appreciate this. In actuality, shit happens without warning and the
only control we really have is how we choose to perceive the shit.
There I was taking a yoga class as I often do when a dull shooting pain presented
itself to my lower back and then did a quick sprint up to my Frontal Lobe! So
of course I embraced this as an opportunity and simultaneously my back is in really
bad shape.
I injured myself years ago while I was working at Smith College. My back has
always been a bit of an issue, but the work injury put me in a new league.
My back issues brought me to yoga and they have been consistently chronic and
many times acute since the injury. My yoga practice keeps things manageable. I am convinced that there is a Homeopathic solution to the problem, and now
my efforts are tripled.
I've cut out all White Flour, Wheat & Gluten. I'm taking Fish Oil to reduce
inflammation and keeping Sugar to a minimum. (I should cut it out completely;
for the moment I’ll cut it way down! ;-)
It's so easy to take one's health for granted, but when things go awry all you
want is to be back at baseline. I couldn't even stand for almost a week and finally
this morning I was able to walk. FINALLY!
The reason I feel compelled to write about this is because every time I am ill
(in ANY capacity) there's a small voice inside that wants immediate relief in
the form of a pill or in this case, I was sure I was headed to surgery. It's an old conversation based on what I learned as a child. Obviously if you're in a car accident and your Spleen is pierced by a metal
pipe, Herbal Remedies are probably foolish! Western medicine is at it's best for triage. Our bodies however are programmed to heal themselves when that process is supported. Keep in mind I was able to lower my Cholesterol 80 points through a high protein
/ low carb diet and Bikram Yoga.
Bottom line is:
•I cleaned up my diet
•I had Chiropractic care
•I found a Chinese Med / Acupuncture clinic (that's attached to a school so it's
free).
•Hot & Cold treatment and as difficult/painful as it was I used an Eliptical
Machine and a stationary bike.
Gentle "Recovery" Yoga
No heavy drugs (Fish Oil & a bit of Advil) and no Western Med doc's. Fish Oil is the key not Ibuprophin. (I use Ibuprophin when things get really bad, but I'm back on the Fish Oil for 1000 reasons.)
The best part is I'm feeling much better and able to get on a plane tomorrow
to head back to WMass, see friends and rehearse with the guys!
4/22 12:27pm: I spoke too soon, which seems to be a reoccurring theme in my life! I was packing to head back east on Friday afternoon and, I think I was feeling
a bit too healed. I took one wrong step and experienced a bad setback. I had to cancel my trip and spent the day (Saturday) once again, incapacitated. I could reduce the pain running down my left leg, by staying in an extreme forward
bend. It’s difficult to live your life bending forward with your legs straight and
your palms flat on the floor. It also leaves a straight male feeling a bit vulnerable!
I woke up at 2 in the morning in horrible pain and decided to complement my forward
bend with a bit of Bow Pulling Pose (a backbend). I had to try something and Yoga works for me. It hurt so much to do a backbend, but I went slowly and kept breathing. It was painful, but it felt like the right thing to do. For 2 hours I just kept
alternating the two concepts and there was my pain relief! I was able to get to sleep for hours.
I’m feeling much better today, but the goal is to get to Acupuncture and Chiropractic
tomorrow, and to take the whole process VERY slowly and mindfully.
I am so bummed about not being able to get back to Massachusetts. I wanted to see Emma. I wanted to play music with the guys. I wanted to see my friends. I wanted to climb one of those gorgeous little mountains up there. I’ll make it happen at the end of May.
There’s the update. EVERYBODY stay HEALTHY!!!
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