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I have Migraine Disease and I'm ok with that

2012-05-03T08:20:44Z

I have migraine disease and I’m ok with that. Actually I have migraine disease and I completely love and accept myself totally as I am in this moment. Not in some future moment when all migraines miraculously go away (because they won’t), in this moment as I am, migraines and all, because that is who I am.

When I share with people, those I love that I am moving into acceptance with my migraines I am met with mixed responses, “that’s so sad, that negative way of thinking is going to keep you where you are, we need to fight these migraines” and a myriad of other responses that view migraines as the enemy.

Migraine disease is a genetic neurological disease, that is, you are born with it in the same way as somebody is born with type one diabetes or epilepsy. People with migraine disease have a different brain from those without migraine disease. The neurotransmitters in my brain behave differently from the neurotransmitters in the brain of a non-migraineur. It’s biology.

There is no cure for migraine disease. There are a myriad of triggers that can set off a migraine, some within my control, some not, but for the most part it’s not something my doctor can, “figure out.” any more than I can. Just like me, my doctor can do some things to help treat the symptoms and help me to avoid triggering a migraine, but they can’t make them go away.

A wise friend of mine recently said to me that she thought complete 100% health was an illusion that we torment ourselves with striving for as human beings. I agree with her. Like the waxing and waning of the moon sometimes our health is full and robust like the full moon and sometimes it is waxing, sometimes it is waning. That my friends, is life.

My migraine brain is the same brain that got me my Ph.D. and that researches and plans fabulous yoga classes. I refuse to love part of it and reject another part of it. I love it all.

Yoga for Migraines

2012-03-17T10:03:02Z

There are more people who suffer from migraine disease than diabetes, asthma, and epilepsy combined. The world health organization estimated that in 2003, 303 million people worldwide were migraineurs. A 2004 article suggested that there are almost 20 million migraine attacks happening every day!

There are tones of misconceptions about migraines. As somebody who has experienced migraines for only a short time I'm sure I have only experienced some of the stigma attached to them, but I have experienced enough to feel inspired to speak up and advocate to the millions of people who suffer not only from excruciating physical pain but also from gross misunderstandings about exactly what migraines are all about.

Migraine disease is not a psychological disease caused by stress. Migraine disease is a genetic neurological disease. That means it is something that people are born with. People with migraine disease have a different biochemical make up in their brains. People with migraines do not need to relax more, take a break from their life or meditate more. Let me tell you one thing, no amount of meditating during a migraine attack is going to stop the chemical reaction that happens the migrainer's brain!!!

I can't tell you the number of people who have told me to meditate more to cure my migraines. First of all, although I'm sure their intentions are coming from the best place, I can't imagine these people have actually ever experienced a migraine. When I'm having a migraine, the last thing I'm able to do is meditate!!!!

Since January 10th 2012 I've experienced at least one and sometimes multiple migraine attacks a day. So many people have told me in not so many words that I am causing them. "You do too much." "You need to take a break." "Your too anxious." "Your too stressed out."

One day sitting in my doctor's office, he looked at me point blank and told me, "it's stress." After a experiencing more than a month of migraines at that point and having to quit all work, I looked straight back at him and said, "let me tell you about the biggest stress in my life right now... the biggest stress I encounter in my life right now is the migraines themselves. This daily attack on my physical body is the biggest stress that I'm experiencing. Can you please help me eliminate that stress?"

Of course I wanted to do something to help the millions of people who suffer from migraines. This yoga video was my first attempt to reach out to help my fellow migraineurs. This video was created in response to what has personally helped me. You may be surprised what you find here! There is no talk of reducing stress in your life (thank god!). There are also no neck stretches, heck I try to move the energy as far away from your head as possible! I hope you will find this video helpful. E-mail me (infoATmelissawest.com) and let me know or leave your comments below. Like us on Facebook! Follow us on Youtube!

Yoga for Arthritis Video: Hip Arthritis

2011-12-05T19:45:28Z

An estimated 50 million adults in the United States reported being told by a doctor that they have some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia. One in five (22%) adults in the United States report having doctor diagnosed arthritis. In 2007–2009, 50% of adults 65 years or older reported an arthritis diagnosis. By 2030, an estimated 67 million Americans ages 18 years or older are projected to have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. (Source: http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/arthritis_related_stats.htm)

These are some serious numbers! When I asked our Namaste Yogi’s what the biggest problem they faced in their life that yoga could help them with, many of them responded, arthritis.

The number one piece of advice that The Arthritis Society (http://www.arthritis.ca/) gives to those with arthritis is to exercise regularly. Yoga is a form of exercise that helps to increase range of motion in the joints, and moves the muscles and joints that bear weight so that they will not lose strength or mobility.

Before you start any exercise program you need to talk to your medical doctor about what exercises are appropriate for your particular arthritis and what precautions you should take when exercising.

There are many forms of arthritis from fibromyalgia to scleroderma, but let’s focus on osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease caused by wear and tear on the joints. As the cartilage in the joints erodes, the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones wears away causing bone to rub against bone and joint inflammation.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the synovial lining of the joint. It is also an inflammatory arthritis that causes swelling and stiffness in the joint.

The series of yoga videos that I will offer for arthritis (starting with hips) will cover three important things.

Breath
Range of Motion
Strengthen and lengthen the ares surrounding the joint.

Why is breath so important? When we are in pain we tend to breathe more shallowly. By deepening our breath we will send more oxygenated blood to all areas of our body, including the inflamed parts. This helps healing.

Increasing the Range of Motion is the second major strategy. When the soft tissues of the joints swell, it causes compression and reduces even further the space in the joint. Moving the joints not only creates more space in the joint but also increases the lubrication of the joint.

With the decreased movement that comes with arthritis, the muscles and soft tissues around the joints shorten putting even more wear and tear on the joints and gliding surfaces. When the joints are inflamed they will rely on the supportive strength of the muscles around them. Strong muscles around the joint helps to absorb shock, support the joints and protect them from injury.

Check out my yoga for arthritis series starting with Yoga for Arthritis, Hips.

Namaste Yoga 108

2011-12-05T19:19:28Z

Over the next eight weeks we will embark on a special series of classes related to Vishnu, the Hindu God of Preservation. The Hindu God's give us an opportunity to reflect on their qualities, trials and tribulations within our own personal experiences in this case preservation and sustenance. Vishnu was appointed by the God of creation, Brahma, to regulate the consequences of good and evil in the world. Vishnu came into the world in many incarnations whenever calamity occurred. In this first class in a series we explore eagle's pose in honor of Garuda, the demi-God who carries Vishnu. Join us on Facebook. Sign up for our Membership Site.

Namaste Yoga 107 Yoga for Beginners Two: Finding Time

2011-12-05T19:15:52Z

When asked what the biggest challenge they faced in their lives, Namaste Yogi's responded, time management, lack of time, not enough time, difficulty finding time to do yoga, and being present when they do actually find time to do yoga instead of feeling rushed or pressured to do something else. In this second yoga for beginner's class we will explore a shift in mindset that we can bring to yoga to give us a sense of spaciousness in time to practice yoga. Drawing on the pace of nature as our inspiration we will practice being beginners to slowing down and having the patience to receive the unfolding of our yoga practice. The intention of this practice is to rest into an expanded sense of time and connecting with the slower rhythm of nature. Check out my blog post on the topic. Friend us on Facebook. Get your free morning and evening yoga video sequence at www.melissawest.com Sign up for our Membership Site.

Namaste Yoga 106 Yoga of Emotions: Love

2011-12-05T19:11:42Z

In this last of a series of classes on emotions we will focus on love. This is a beautiful practice of heart openers in which we appreciate the beauty and grace of unfolding our bodies. Through yoga asana we recognize that beauty is everywhere and always there to be loved. To practice love is to observe the love and beauty in all things. By seeing the beauty and love in all things we are able to see the Divine nature of all things. This class focuses on beautiful backbends and heart openers. Please join us on Facebook. Go to melissawest.com to receive a free morning and evening yoga sequence not available anywhere else on the web. Also sign up for our Membership Site.

Namaste Yoga 105 Yoga of Emotions: Wonder

2011-12-05T19:08:40Z

This episode shows an exciting gateway into dropping the over-rationalizing egoic mind, suspending "reason" and entering into wonder. In this episode we will open up to the wonder and miracle of life. We begin by bringing awareness to our breath, the very thing which brings us life without even consciously being aware of it. Not only that, but your breath spreads prana (life-force energy) through all the 72, 000 nadis of your body. That awareness alone can drop you into the emotion of wonder. Tuning into the miracles of life such as the birth of a baby and creation itself we will explore some of the various depictions of Brahma (the God of creation) through fish and tortoise poses. Wonder is rajasic and heats our internal fire so we will also explore postures and breath practices to stoke our internal fire. Thank you for your kind donations at www.melissawest.com and while you're there sign up to receive a free morning and evening yoga practice. Remember to like us on Facebook and sign up for our Membership Site.

Namaste Yoga 104 Yoga for Emotions: Courage

2011-12-05T19:03:57Z

In this episode of Namaste Yoga we tap into our inner strength and discover our courage through yoga. We begin by becoming aware of the physical strength of our bodies. The practice reflects on the courage of hanuman through hanumasana and the great warrior Arjuna through the warrior poses. We also explore a Ganesh mudra to draw on the intellect required for courage. Complementary episodes to this episode are Episode 78 on Karma, Episode 79 on Dharma, Episode 77 on Samskaras, Episodes 12 & 87 on Warrior Pose, Episode 81 on Hanumasana, Episode 76 on True Self/Atman and Episode 18 on Facing our Fears. Remember to like us on Facebook and go to www.melissawest.com to receive your free morning and evening yoga videos not available anywhere else on the web. Check out our Membership Site.

Namaste Yoga 103 Yoga for Emotions: Calmness

2011-12-05T19:01:44Z

We continue our series of classes on yoga of emotions based on Peter Marchand's book, The Yoga of the Nine Emotions, with the emotion of calmness. We begin the class with a Tich Nhat Hanh mantra and then move into a series of mini yoga vinyasas inspired by Mark Whitwell, Ron Stapleton and Michael Stone. Calmness is a sattvic emotion and thus promotes harmony, peace, and stillness in our minds, bodies, emotions and spirits. Melissa explores how the rasa shanta (calmness) relates to the vata ayurvedic dosha and following your dharma. Be sure to join our Facebook Community and check out our Membership Site.

Namaste Yoga 102 Yoga for Emotions Anger

2011-12-05T18:59:29Z

Continuing our series based on Peter Marchand's The Yoga of Nine Emotions we will navigate the emotion of anger. In the yoga community there may be this misconception that it is all rainbows, unicorns and butterflies - but let's get real, we're real people, living in the real world, and anger is a real emotion that we will encounter in our day to day lives. It is incredibly important that anger is expressed in a non-violent and honest way. Once anger has found its release valve then we can work on countering the fire of anger with the calming, cooling energy of the moon. In this episode we will focus on the cooling qualities of the moon with moon salutation and various calming and cooling breaths. We will also explore techniques for releasing anger. Make sure to join our community of real people doing real yoga on Facebook and to go deeper check out our Membership Site.