Spring Cleaning

Here we are caught in the essence of spring.  New life, new patterns, new colors surround us. Emerging from the cold, still, grey of winter. Spring gives us a reminder of hope and change. We clear out our clutter, embark on new project and begin to migrate outside.  Several of us in the community have also committed to cleaning out our bodies.  We have made the commitment to give up processed foods, sugar, caffeine, sugar,  meat, dairy, and did i mention sugar(yes that means chocolate too). we will be eating a mono-diet of kitchari for 5 days and mainly rice and veggies for the rest of the 2 weeks.  What many of us have already began to experience or will, very soon, is our emotional connection to food.  from the first moments of life we find food as a connection of love and nurturing from out mother's breast.  In yoga we call the physical body(or food body) Annamaya. Anna meaning mother; nurture.  As yogis we should seek foods that have "prana" life force, rather than packaged, processed, foods of convenience that we ALL tend to grab much of the time.  As we detox our bodies more is happening than the physical cleanse.  We witness emotions and habitual patterns of the past floating to the surface of our consciousness.  As children we have a healthy expression of anger, sadness, and joy.  As adults we learn to put these emotions aside(for it isn't always convenient to throw a temper tantrum in the supermarket..without getting weird looks.) Our emotional connection to food is something we can't escape.  Spring, the season that is associated with the organ, the liver. And the liver is associated with anger.  As a recovering people pleaser i have always had a hard time expressing anger, it wasn't ladylike.  I now realize that by not expressing anger(in a healthy way) i was closing off a part of myself, and on the flip side felt weak and disempowered. Anger is the pressure needed for change, the way the earth gently presses on a seed to inspire growth and birth or re-birth.  By closing doors to one emotion, we close doors to receiving the benefits of another emotion.  As we make transformation in our bodies, in our homes, and in our relationships we may have to clean out a few skeletons that we forgot were in the basement, from a Halloween past, hidden behind the items we don't mind people seeing.  Awareness is the first part of the practice.  Become aware of what you are holding onto, what you are giving attention too, and what you have been avoiding, and let the new colors of springtime blossom into your life. Springtime is the perfect time to stretch your limits, to test your comfort zone, and to start something new(like trying yoga, taking a trip, starting a creative project). Take it slow and steady and remember it may not always be easy, but it will be worth it!!

New “Yoga for Women” Class May Help Reduce Pelvic Pain

by Kelly McLendon

Chronic female pelvic pain is pain below the belly button and between the hips, lasting for 6 months or longer. The pelvic floor is a set of muscles and tissues, which have the purpose of supporting the lower organs. Pain in the pelvic region can appear, disappear and then return. Some women experience more pain around the menstrual cycle, which may stop them from attending school or going to work for a few days, due to the severe pain.

One new class at Pranayoga downtown will focus on reducing pain in the pelvic region. “Yoga for Women” will be a general asana class with an importance on postures for the well-being of women. It is suitable for all levels and the class will focus on hip opening, strengthening the core muscles and becoming aware of holding patterns in the pelvis.

The class is designed for women who suffer from pelvic pain, lower back and hip pain and menstrual cycle pain and difficulties. It is also perfect for women who are looking to become more in-tune with their bodies, even if they don’t experience pain.

Symptoms experienced with chronic pelvic pain can vary from woman to woman. It can be pain ranging from mild to severe or from dull to sharp. It can present itself as pain during sex or pain when urinating, in addition to many other types.

The causes of pelvic pain vary as well. Endometriosis, ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids can cause pain. Pelvic infections, irritable bowel syndrome or chronic bladder irritation can also be responsible for pain. Additionally, Chronic pelvic pain can stem from emotional factors.

Whatever it may be caused from, the pain is very real and a regular yoga practice may help manage some of the symptoms.

Yoga for Women can help manage the symptoms of female chronic pelvic pain by using postures to strengthen the pelvic floor and tone the reproductive organs. In addition, the practice will help to harmonize hormonal production through the energy channels, also called nadis.

Pranayama breathing techniques will also be used, with the goal of bringing awareness to unconscious tensing of the pelvic floor muscles.

This class will be offered on Thursdays, from 6-7 p.m., in the Chandra Room at Pranayoga Downtown.

About the instructor:  Kelly McLendon, RYT-200, completed her training at Pranayoga and continues to enhance her knowledge with workshops specific to the pelvic floor. As someone who has experienced pelvic pain, Kelly is excited about sharing what she has learned with other women who might have chronic pain.