ROOTS: Chakra, Causes. This is a long post, folks.

Alignment - or, shall I say, misalignment - seems to be the topic-du jour! After feeding and prepping the monkeys children for their first day back to school after winter break, I schlepped myself into the chiropractic office for spinal realignment. (Second time in a week after a 7-8ish month hiatus from chiropractic care only because I relocated and my previous care provider's office is nearly a 2-hour drive.)  *Hallelujah* I am utterly grateful to have found someone who, at least for the time being, can adjust my vertebrae and manipulate soft tissue such that I have immediate and longer-lasting relief (longer than NSAIDs, for example).  Note to self and to anyone else who will pay attention: Making time and budgeting finances for self-care/health & wellness appointments can be grossly beneficial!

Not only did I gain physical relief, I gained knowledge of a term with a very familiar concept: Spinal Visceral Reflex.  I learned about specific nerve connections that likely contribute to some of my physical discomforts as of late (no surprise, there!)

Ack. My plan was to write about yoga, here. *refocus*

Mondays are, at present, my day off from working for an employer. I took advantage of this and dove early afternoon into the Yoga International 30 for 30 challenge, Day 5: Asana Alignment and Chakra Awareness: Muladhara.  Yikes. Guess what? I hold asymmetries in my body (as do most of us).  Great news: Mindful movement and mindful body awareness practices can help neutralize those asymmetries!  What I noticed during yoga practice:

• right hip/pelvis not rooting to floor in sukhasana
• tipping upper body forward while in sukhasana
• shoulders rounding forward while in sukhasana
• mid-thoracic tenderness/on the verge of pain while rounding forward (potentially due to recent chiro manipulations)
• ankle, top of foot, and bottom of foot pain while in modified hero pose (using block & blanket) - had to come out of the pose twice during the short practice to stretch the feet and release pressure on shins & ankles

Honestly, today's practice was a struggle.  Interestingly, in 'real life' I continue to come back to the topics of root chakra, grounding, and the ever-present 'control' issues.  SMH.

My daily physical buggers:

• right hip getting 'stuck' - feels like femur head is locked in pelvis (occurring for approximately 2 years)
• low back sharp, intense pain (~ 10 years)
• low back chronic aching pain (~ 15 years)
• right shoulder (back and top) sharp and chronic pain (~2 years)
• a few others, but these have been the biggest buggers

(Yes, I do a variety of exercises for core activation and stabilization, as well as postural restoration...and foam roll...and use arnica or biofreeze...and eat 5-7 servings of vegetables per day...)

Why am I writing all of this? Well, in part because this is MY BLOG and thereby MY PREROGATIVE! Also, because I hope that if I can impart any inkling of wisdom or encourage anyone else in the arena of self-care, I am living my purpose!

Ho-kay. *rerefocus*

1) Last week, chiropractor acknowledges ridiculous "mess" in my neck and alerts me to the dorsal scapular nerve that may be contributing to the shoulder pain (and headache and nausea). 

2) Today, chiropractor examines my low back and notes the incredibly tender adrenal glands and nerve hyperactivity in my upper body (to which I've informed him I work with a naturopath for adrenal/endocrine support). He alerts me to the aforementioned spinal visceral reflex can and likely contribute to my physical symptoms and organ dysfunction. 

Fantastic! Between the chiropractor acknowledging the physical/physiological manifestations of physical, chemical, and mental stressors, and the yoga practice, I happened upon a handful of meaningful correlations: My physical symptoms over the last several weeks/months (neck pain, headaches, hip discomfort, intermittent stomach pain and nausea, fatigue) are connected to . . . wait for it . . . emotions. Yep.  No surprise there, either. I've also been aware of my temper flares in the last 6-or-so months that, in the midst of the anger/frustration that seems out of my control, I am still able to counsel myself and acknowledge that I am thinking irrationally.  Curious how much of the symptomatic pain/discomfort is circuiting back to the emotional/mental health and further contributing to dis-ease. Oh boy. I'd better stop writing for today.


Root causes: I am passionate about learning (for myself) and assisting others in learning the root cause of [pain, discomfort, frustration, joy, pleasure, motivation, etc.].  Treating symptoms can be beneficial acutely; however, sustainable benefits come from considering the root causes of the symptoms, often taking much longer to change/improve/diminish. 

@CoachBurow #yogaeveryday #30for30 #dynamicwellness #mindbodyhealth #yogachallenge