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Role of yoga in a serious health condition

Denise started attending yoga classes with me a little over a year ago. In the registration form that she filled out, under "any medical issues" she wrote, "Last 10 years only major medical issues; surgery to remove section of large intestine and heart attack." When she came in for the class, I was pleasantly surprised with her cheerful smile and a very pleasant attitude. She gave no indication that she had gone through major health issues in the past. She became quite regular in the classes and started enjoying them.

After about three months of regular classes, she suddenly stopped coming. I just assumed that she might have had some health issues and would be back soon. After about a month of absence I received an email from her telling that she had been diagnosed with cancer and will need to go for surgery. From that time on she kept me in the loop, updating me frequently with news about her surgery, subsequent radiation and chemotherapy. After a couple of months of recovery from surgery and treatment, she came back for the classes and has been attending very regularly. She is back to her cheerful self, always displaying a very positive outlook and an infectious smile.

I am giving below her own account of her health condition and how yoga has played a role in her ability to deal with it.

"I have taken community yoga off and on for the past 20 years. They all offered flexibility and physical exercise but despite my attempts to incorporate yoga into my daily life, they never sparked a sustained interest nor satisfied what I was looking for. I have been active in some form of physical exercise through my whole life but at 67 was seeking something different. Over a year ago I started attending classes with Subhash. WOW! I know that’s not the most scientific or intellectual response, but a perfect one word descriptor. When I spoke of my experience to others they ask why it was so exceptional. My first response was that it was authentic.

As the months progressed I felt the quality of my mental, physical and emotional health heightening. In the spring of last year I was diagnosed with cancer and subsequently treated with surgery and radiation. There were resulting complications, and the healing process was extended longer than anticipated. Several months after the surgery and radiation, I experienced yet another intense, acute side effect related to the treatment. My age, combined with two life threatening problems within 6 months truly challenged me mentally, physically and emotionally. Although the yoga was not the only life skill that aided in my healing, I know that it played a significant part. The conscious awareness of the physical self that I developed through the classes had strengthened my body. I believe that it was a critical element of my ability to rebound and live better through the challenges and beyond.

I had to take a temporary break from the practice as I healed, and returned as soon as I was able. I quickly started to notice the strengthening of my physical body while at the same time a conscious and positive awareness of the physical body. I know that my years of meditation and regular physical exercise increased healing and piece of mind, but the yoga blended it all for maximum benefit at a time of crisis. Even with all that has happened, the yoga has allowed an enhanced sense of wholeness to grow within me. I have also noticed a heightened sense of my spirituality, a benefit that I had not anticipated. This authentic style of yoga has certainly come to me when it was needed, and it has, and will continue to play a significant part in my physical, mental and spiritual growth. As I look back over the events of the past year, it is apparent to me that yoga classes with Subhash have resulted in an improvement in the quality of my life."

If you would like to get in touch with Denise, please contact me and I will be glad to provide her contact information.

I invite you to share your own story about how the practice of yoga may have played a part in your life, especially if you are dealing with any health condition.

4 comments to Role of yoga in a serious health condition

  • k srinivasan iyer

    HI,Sir, Greetings and Happy Makara Sankaranthi..! i was wonder stuck about the patients retrieval of health and yoga has played a crucial part in the same. thanks for the excellent information and sharing. hari om. pranams.

  • Kalpana Sheth

    My husband and I took yoga with Subhash for several years and were heartbroken when he and Manju moved out of NJ, because I agree with Denise above, there is no other way to describe Yoga practice with Subhash, but Authentic! It is pure and comes from within. Madhu and I miss both Subhash and Manju terribly!

    Two years ago, both my husband and I became certified yoga teachers and Subhash played an integral part in encouraging me to pursue it. Aches and pains of arthritis was the main reason I was hesitating, Subhash still convinced me to pursue becoming yoga teacher. Fortunately, when I finished the one month rigorous training, my pains were gone too!

    Now we teach seniors in a senior community, and in a Learning Center, to kids, 2-5 years olds, who are doing terrific! Thank you Subhash for your authenticity and encouragement.

    • Hi Kalpana, it is so wonderful to see your comments here. I am grateful to you for your kind words. It is so nice that you are giving the gift of yoga to the seniors and kids in your community. We are looking forward to meeting you in a couple of months.

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