Week 7

This week has been harder for me. I used to not have any digestive fire now I have too much. I’ve backed off on all my herbs for a while as they were making my blood to hot and thin. I woke up in the middle of the night with stabbing back pain and a warm sensation in my chest. I saw my doctor the next day and after doing an EKG and my examination we determined it was acid reflux. Thankfully nothing is wrong with my heart or lungs. I’ve also been on the horn with my Ayurvedic guru, who is sending me a milder form of the Liver/spleen formula since it was thinning by blood too much, even though I’m not on blood thinners. He thinks the Digestion Aid was firing me up too much. He said that people with any Pitta (not just a predominance) should not use that formula. The rasayanas are really great quality so I don’t think it’s a quality issue. I certainly wasn't taking big doses either. I have always been one of those one in a million sensitive types. I'm an AB- blood type as well. I really still believe in the yoga and ayurveda, I think I just got my blood way too hot and thin. I think I'm starting to believe that my digestion is more like my Dad's which is very pitta. He has terrible acid reflux and I know he has mentioned problems with blood thinners. So it's no wonder I would have problems with the natural forms of these. My guru mentioned that no one has ever had really terrible life-altering symptoms from his herbs, just nausea occassionally from the triphala so that is reassuring. I also didn't take into account how fast the Bikram would work to fire up my digestion.

Needless-to-say, Bikram has been really hard this week. Last night was the first night I had to sit out ever. Even during my first class I was up and doing the poses. I just felt too faint. This particular teacher chooses not to open the door. It's hard to do something this physically challenging when you don't even feel that good just plain walking. If it wasn't for the challenge I wouldn't of gone.

My ayurvedic guru thinks the hot yoga certainly had some part in heating up my blood too. I have only 14 days left so I’m showing up and doing my best. My ego really hated the fact that I had to sit down last night but it is a lesson in compassion. My advice to anyone doing a 60-day challenge is to not change your meds/herbs or try any funky diets. Be gentle and as healthy as possible. The challenge truly is challenging when you don't feel well. Thankfully my teachers now know me well enough that they can see I'm not being lazy but that something is sincerely wrong.

Now to mention some good points, I feel like this whole process has been an awakening for me. I live much more effectively now. I spent a lot of time in the past few years feeling sad and medicating myself with food, wine and TV. This yoga makes you stronger. I still watch some TV and drink (although the idea of red wine now is just way too heating) but I make good choices. Once the challenge is over I look forward to taking this awakening into my life and artwork.