sacral area & KY

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam, everyone. I'm sorry this is so long, but I need to explain these

specifics.

 

I am posting to see if any of you can help me with my lower back problem.

I've been practicing KY since March, and it has helped in many areas

physically as well as emotionally. Specifically, I have rheumatoid arthritis

and also osteoarthritis in my neck, knees and one foot. KY has increased my

flexibility tremendously, especially in my neck and shoulders. I used to get

pinched nerves in my neck quite often, and I haven't suffered from that now

for months.

 

However, I was motivated to begin yoga in earnest because I've been having

trouble with my sacrum and hips (mostly left side) for over 1 1/2 years.

I've tried most everything to alleviate the pain, from rest & Jacuzzi to

extensive chiropractic (every week for 8 months with a physical

therapist/chiropractor!), from ultrasound massage to cortisone shots, to a

strict macrobiotic medical diet, etc.

 

Here's the real issue. Up until last week, I felt that KY was helping me

with the sacrum/hip problem a little bit. I would have minor pain during

certain poses, but I've been able to do every pose pretty well and some very

well. I attend one class weekly, and have been also practicing at home about

2-3 additional days each week. Daily practice has not been possible for me,

but I'm working toward that.

 

Last week, I introduced my husband to KY, using Nirvair Singh's beginner

video series which I've used at home for several months. Because we were on

vacation for 2 weeks, we had decided to help each other begin daily

practice. It was great, and I was pleased to be able to share what I've

learned and experienced with someone I love. Plus I was excited that I was

actually (finally) doing yoga everyday as it should be done. But I believe

that doing KY everyday actually has hurt me. On the 4th day, I bent at the

waist to stretch to the center after having stretched to each side

(something I do relatively easily most of the time), and my sacrum went into

a mild spasm. I finished the set, gently, being careful not to strain my

lower back any more.

 

I went to do my KY set the next day, and was pleased to see that the spasm

had not worsened, and actually felt better. The following day, I felt spasm

on a few of the poses, but was taking it pretty easy so as not to aggravate

the problem. But the sacrum was irritated still more, even just from

sitting upright. I know I should have rested, but I kept thinking that KY

would loosen & open my hips, and stretch the muscles that have cramped all

around the area. Usually it makes me feel better.

 

So today, I went to my KY class feeling pretty good but still wary of

injuring myself further. I began with very slow and easy spinal flex and

that started to hurt a little. So I stopped. I tried a couple of bending

stretches, and that hurt more. Sat Kriya through only 2 "sat nams" sent me

into major spasm. Basically, I spent the whole class trying to lay on my

back, as I can't even sit up in any position, let alone apply root lock

without excruciating pain. Needless to say, relaxation is nearly impossible,

since I can't lay flat on my back nor sit. Driving home was no fun.

 

I know my orthopedic MD wants me to do nothing except lay on ice while I

await the MRI which is scheduled for a week from Thursday (he thinks I may

have a malformed vertebrae "Pars defect" which will require surgery to fuse

the lowermost vertebrae). I won't even see a report on that till Tuesday the

26th - that means 2 weeks from today.

 

So this long explanation is a cry for some advice from you folks out there

with more experience than I have. My attitude remains positive and I count

many blessings - I just want to know if I should try to do any more or just

lay around on my aching back.

 

Thanks for your help,

 

Kristen

[Guest guest]

Dear Kristen:

 

I'm so sorry to hear you are having such difficulties. I do think

you should follow your doctor's advice (of course, getting more than

one opinion is usually a good idea, especially before undertaking

major surgery).

 

Being sedentary carries risks as well, so if there are things you can

do that don't cause any pain (which sounds doubtful the way you

describe it), I think that might be better than being completely

still for two weeks, but this is (most likely) an injury or chronic

problem and following medical advice is very important in this

situation.

 

I see no reason, however, that you couldn't work on pranayam and

meditation, in whatever position you can handle. The long deep

breath is healing and calming - you might put on some healing mantra

(I particularly recommend Gurnam's RaMaDaSaSaSaySoHung, which is the

most effective healing mantra) and practice your breath while

listening to that, or chant along with that (or without it).

 

If you have eleven KY friends, they should come over tonight (tonight

is a full moon so it will work especially well) and do the Tantric

Healing Ring with you in the center. Call your teacher and say I

said so

 

Gururattan wrote up this meditation in New Millenium Being #9 - just

send a blank e-mail to nmb09 to get a copy of it.

 

You have my best wishes and blessings for a speedy recovery. I am

sure many others on this list will join me in adding you to our

prayers.

 

Love and healing,

Sadhant Singh

[Guest guest]

Dear Sadhant,

 

Thank you so much for your advice and compassion. I have been doing some

long deep breathing on and off since writing last night, and it does help me

to relax the muscles in my back, along with flax seed oil and Traumagesic

compound - a natural anti-inflammatory supplement. Also went for a chiro.

adjustment today which is also giving some relief. My KY teacher is not at

home this evening, but I will try tomorrow (moon will be waning a bit, but

it's the best I can do).

 

I will get back to my KY as soon as I feel up to it!

 

Blessings to all on this Harvest Moon,

 

Kristen

 

 

 

on 9/13/00 10:38 AM, Sadhant Singh at kundaliniyoga wrote:

>

> I see no reason, however, that you couldn't work on pranayam and

> meditation, in whatever position you can handle. The long deep

> breath is healing and calming - you might put on some healing mantra

> (I particularly recommend Gurnam's RaMaDaSaSaSaySoHung, which is the

> most effective healing mantra) and practice your breath while

> listening to that, or chant along with that (or without it).

>

> If you have eleven KY friends, they should come over tonight (tonight

> is a full moon so it will work especially well) and do the Tantric

> Healing Ring with you in the center. Call your teacher and say I

> said so

>

> Gururattan wrote up this meditation in New Millenium Being #9 - just

> send a blank e-mail to nmb09 to get a copy of it.

>

> You have my best wishes and blessings for a speedy recovery. I am

> sure many others on this list will join me in adding you to our

> prayers.

>

> Love and healing,

> Sadhant Singh

>

>

>