Minneapolis Life: De-stressing Part 1: It Happens.

Recently, in my thrice a week yoga class, I asked our wise yoga teacher: what could be the cause of my continuous struggle with digestive issues? (Sharing with him how frustrating it is knowing I follow an organic diet, eat fiber, exercise and do all the things a gal is supposed to do.) I let him know I was thinking of getting a colonoscopy just to check everything out. He frowned at this saying, "I think the problem is psychosomatic."

Great. So you are saying, "I am making up my bloated buddha belly?" After taking a few yogic breaths, I realized what hiswords meant. My belly is aching for a change of life. My belly issues are very real, but the question remains- did these symptoms manifest on their own? Probably not.

Self stress, imagined or created, can greatly impact our bodies and the way they respond to life. If ignored, they began to speak in terms we understand. Headaches, back pain, ulcers, you name it. No one claims that heart disease is something "made up in our heads"- who wants that? But, perhaps at least in some part, we affect our health with our stress. We feel stress, therefore we take comfort in fast food, beer, we feel too busy to work out, and on and on. We literally can work ourselves to death. Japan even has a word for it- karoshi- meaning "death from overwork," heart attack or stroke due to stress.

So as a phrase Indians love to use here, "What to do?" I decided to invite my stomach to join me in exploring the world of aryuveda, perhaps one of the oldest medical systems in the world. I wanted to see how a 5000 year old practice could assist me in finding a bit of peace in my psychosomatic stomach.

I arrived at Soukyas, a international reknowed holistic health treatment center near Bangalore, specializing in aryuvedic, natropathy, homepathic and western medicine applications. Its claim to fame is to have treated Prince Charles wife, Camilla. I stayed for four days and during this time had 30 treatments, a specialized diet and a yoga/meditation/exercise routine.

Upon arrival, I had a consultation with three different doctors who all immediately stated I was vata-pitta type, which means my dosha type- an intriguing aryuvedic way of determing imbalances of the body. If you'd like to read more on this as well as being an excellent book on holistic health, I recommend Dr. Henry Emmons book, "The Chemistry of Joy."

The docs I saw also determined that my digestive issues were more than likely related to stress. What, an American who is stressed? A rarity. But the doctors said, whatever the reason, they approach it with a holistic treatment to assist in resolving the symptoms prevelant- not just focusing on the stomach, but a complete "detox" of all the stressors in my life.

So, I began four days of experiencing a detoxing, new self. The program I followed did not require fasting or eating just celery sticks and lemon water, thank God! My daily schedule was as follows- wake up at 7am to a shot of wheatgrass at my door. Then a brisk walk, followed by 90 minutes of yoga. Off to an organic South Indian breakfast. Followed by several hours of treatments including hot stone massage, shirodhara (ayurvedic oils dripped slowly over the head for approximately 40 minutes- it was divine!). Throughout the day, I was given coconut water, fresh pumpkin juice, herbal waters, etc. Then lunch, then more treatments, then yoga/meditation class, then another Indian meal, then fruits, then 8-10 black raisins soaked in water, and then bed. whew....

The real whammy of a treatment day came when I was informed of being provided me with a- get this-a "hydrotherapy colonic". oookaaay... the name is scary in itself. 35-45 Liters of water pumped to detox and clean out the colon. I will kindly keep this part less detailed for my readers, but lets just say, the Indian doctor at one point in the treatment said sweetly to my embarrased self, "It's okay, 'it' happens." Not knowing her spot on humor in our beloved American phrase $#it happens!

Aside from my colon power-washing experience, the entire four days really did provide me with a time for some detoxifying. Not only my digestive system, but the whole picture: my body, heart, mind and soul as well. I had some time to reflect and realize- there may be some things in my life that I hold onto a bit too much and need to let go of- no pun intended.

We can't always escape to a holistic health center for four days or even for an hour. But, there are things that can change in life to destress and detoxify. For me, I realized there are certain toxins such as anxiety-toxic self thinking, too much wine, indulging in dark chocolate and salty potato chips, etc. I can detox with meditation and prayer, healthy choices, yoga, etc.

What are the toxins in your life? Caffeine, cigarettes, or other forms of stress? What are the things that we have trouble digesting in this life? What is your detox plan? Yeah so, 'it' happens. I guess the question becomes, do we hold onto it? Or do we find ways to let it go?