I have a post about supplements that I have been working on FOREVER. I’ve had wonderful results with them and I will finish it, but I stumbled on to something that I simply MUST share as soon as possible.
It all started when I read this article on shoulder stands. The original post on FaceBook showed the pose below, and I thought….I might be able to do that. I mean, with all of the awesome benefits including lymph circulation – which is paramount in detoxing the body; and increasing ENERGY (wow) – it was worth a shot. Also I have been learning a lot about energy healing and chakra balancing so this added to that interest. (Ok, wait, before see this and think “no way am I doing that!”…keep reading I have suggestions)
Photo Credit: Neeta Lind
So I’m laying on my back in my bed, because it’s soft – yeah, I realize, not the optimal place for yoga but I don’t have a yoga mat, because I don’t DO yoga, and we have hard floors, so bed it is! So I’m on my bed and I lifted my legs up intending to get them up high enough to get my arms under me, thinking I could push up the rest of the way. Ha! Yeah. Maybe when I was 20! Apparently my butt contains a magnet that is attracted to the mattress, because it was NOT going in the air.
Now mind you, I’m not alone. Sitting beside me in bed is my husband, who is playing Diamond Digger on his tablet and refraining from watching me attempt this.
So it’s all physics, right? When something heavy (my butt) doesn’t want to move, you need some momentum. (Obligatory warning: do not try to do it this way.) So I sort of set up then rolled backward hoisting my legs as I went…………..and then there is gravity. What goes up must come down, and apparently quickly. So now I’m starting to problem solve. I need something to hold my legs up so that I have time to get my arms under by backside so I can stay there. Ah ha! Headboard!
It took a couple of tries but I was able to roll back, and get my feet on the headboard over my head and then my arms under me so I could prop myself up, attempting to look like the lovely ladies in the picture. Well, I did not, but I was in position, nevertheless. Now let me stop and explain that – in case you don’t realize, I am NOT in shape. I have had Fibromyalgia for 7 years, I am doing pretty well now, but I don’t really exercise much other than walking. So here I am, feet on the headboard, arms now under my lower back. I manage to straighten my legs a little and get my feet off the headboard so I am now in full supported shoulder stand position (kinda). And panting. This yoga stuff is not as easy as it looks. But I’m there. The stretch for my shoulder and neck feel fabulous, stomach muscles burning a little, kinda hard to breathe. Husband does not dare look away from his tablet screen. I held it for a minute or two, the slowly lowered my legs until I was in a tucked position, stayed that way for a bit catching my breath, then unfolded them the rest of the way out. Whew! It was only then that it was noted by Dear Husband that I do not look like the ladies in the photo. I don’t care, I was up there. On the second attempt a week or so later, as I brought my feet back down to rest on the headboard, he didn’t look up from his tablet, but asked “are you stuck?”. Ha! No I wasn’t but his tone sent me into a fit of giggles. I know I look silly, but I don’t care. Now, I’m realizing I should have been turned around with my head toward the end of the bed like it describes here. If only I had googled, first!
When I am “fully” up I look more like this photo:
Click photo to follow link to more instructions.
Fast forward to the next day. I had an awesome day! Worked, homeschooled, ran errands, worked again in the evening, went non stop until 9 pm. The day after that was similar – but I took it a little easier – knowing the Spoon Theory would make me pay for “spoons” borrowed from the next day. Two days after shoulder stand, I crashed. Now I did not immediately connect the energy increase with the shoulder stand. In fact, had forgotten all about it. Toward the end of the week, I am reassessing – what did I do that made me feel so great? Sleep – check, supplements – check, water – check, oils – check. But none of that was new. Then I remembered. So, ok, lets try that again!
My energy level on days following a shoulder stand is incredible! I have also noticed a greatly diminished pain level. My pain stays well controlled, anyway, but these are days I can push my body beyond my former limits. In a later post, after I research a bit more, I will post about WHY this pose seems to have so many positive effects on Fibromyalgia.
A few words about shoulder stands….be careful with yourself. If you are in a flare, be very careful. In the minutes afterward, it could make you very sore. Also, as the article suggests, do not do them if you have a neck or shoulder injury. Please read the articles posted here for contraindications and warnings! For those non-yoga folks like myself, I am including links below for MODIFIED shoulder stands. Ways you can do this without 1) injuring yourself and 2) looking completely silly.
You know, I think my willingness to be open minded and try *anything* is a huge part of my recovery. If it doesn’t work out, it’s probably not going to make you feel any worse. Even if it does, it will only be short term. Then you can try something else. Don’t ever give up! It’s when you give up that Fibromyalgia wins.
Shoulder Stand Modifications (google this for more results)
http://www.doyouyoga.com/shoulder-stand-variations-for-the-abundant-yogi/
Joyful Oils 