Anne with her daughter, Jill
Last summer my husband and I went on a trip to eastern Oregon over the Fourth of July holiday. We looked forward to this very much and were having a wonderful time. The morning after we arrived in Enterprise (our most eastern destination), I awoke to the most painful sideache I have ever had. The nausea hit and I couldn’t do anything but roll in a ball. My husband went to the hotel manager and we were able to go to the hospital in Enterprise. They diagnosed me with kidney stones, gave me some pain medication, and sent me home. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out, so we were back in a few hours. They admitted me and during admittance weighed me. Ouch — that was as bad news as the stones. I weighed way too much.
Fast forward to 2 emergency room trips later, then 3 days after the 4th of July to my urologist appointment. He said I looked healthy. I stated yes, but I am obese. He told me nothing could change that until I made myself a priority — and number 3 or 4 doesn’t count. It hit me like a brick. I talked to my husband, and he agreed (happily) to support a change in our diets, and to let me take the time after work to exercise and start moving more.
That was July 7, 2011. Now it is March 6, 2012. In this time, I have started practicing and loving yoga. I practice nearly everyday: sometimes gentle, sometimes power and sometimes basics. Sometimes even twice a day. This has changed not only my weight, but my outlook on life, my marriage and my ability to cope with difficult challenges.
Through yoga, I have come to have patience with myself. I have learned that I am an important person, and by having a good feeling about myself, I can express that by supporting others. I am going to yoga teacher training this summer. My intention is to work with people with differing abilities so that they may come to know the good feeling of strength and hope that having a yoga practice provides for a person.
My husband and I agree that my kidney stone was a blessing in disguise and that now I am healthier than I have been for years. Yoga has helped me realize my potential and that the best intentions are to be good to yourself so you can share goodness with others.
