Bending and stretching with an internal organ on the outside of your body – sounds near enough impossible right? But what if I told you this is something that has become part of my weekly routine.
I’m talking about yoga by the way!
After going through such a significant surgery, I have come on such a journey of wanting to look after my body properly. I never want my body to feel so weak and vulnerable, so I try hard to incorporate activities to help this. Physically, I can’t believe how much I am able to do, the progress I’ve made and the benefits I feel in my day to day life. Mentally, I cannot believe the positive change its had on my mental wellbeing. The positive impact it has had on my mental health is why I have made it a priority in my weekly routine.
I have ulcerative colitis, which currently has no cure. But I am so in tune with my body now that I am very aware of what my body is unable to cope with internally… stress. I have learned that my body attacks itself when I am feeling stressed. It could be a really stressful work day or it could be a simple day to day task. I will admit, I haven’t been great at coping with stress and helping my body to de-stress.
Yoga has taught me so much
Let’s start with the physical. I first started yoga because I read of the benefits it has on your body, and not just your current body, but your future body. I have always said that I never want my body to feel as weak and vulnerable as it did before surgery so I do everything I can to help that. I read online how important it was to not only exercise but also to stretch, and to give your body that release that it needs. I have seen a real difference in my muscle soreness and recovery since starting yoga. My muscles feel released.
Mentally
The breathing aspect of yoga is powerful. Controlling my breathing feels like the core of control. My mind focuses on my breathing, nothing else. It’s not worrying about the day to day stresses, it’s there in the moment – breathing and releasing. I have transferred this skill to my everyday life. Moments where I feel things becoming too much, or if I catch myself overthinking, I quickly take control of my breathing and it grounds me. Yoga reminds me to be kind to myself and be thankful of what my body can do.
Is attending yoga with a stoma different than attending without a stoma? Yes, to me it feels different. So here are 3 of my top tips:
- Wear a support belt
Yoga moves really zone in on specific areas of the body. Most of them I am able to do comfortably, but there are some where I don’t feel as confident because of my stoma. Wearing a support belt gives me confidence and reassurance that my stoma is safe.
- Empty your stoma bag just before class
This is something I would really really recommend to do before your yoga class – trust me, I learned the hard way. I once didn’t have time before a yoga class and started the class with a half full bag. During the class we were asked to lay on our stomach. I was so so so uncomfortable, all my mind was thinking about was my stoma bag. My thoughts turned negative and I started to resent my bag because it was holding me back during the class. However, when I empty my bag, I have none of these issues.
- Do it for you
Shouldn’t everything in life be like this? Unfortunately, its not. We are so aware of everyone else. Am I good enough? Am I falling behind? Am I where I’m supposed to be? Comparing ourselves to others is one of the worst things we can do. Yoga is one of the only things I do where I find that I’m not doubting myself or comparing myself to others. Yoga is purely for me. I’m not interested in whether the person next to be can stretch further or hold their pose for longer. I care about me. My body, my mind, my breathing.
I hope this gives others the confidence to try yoga and benefit from what it has to offer. Give it a go and let me know how you get on!
Love, Poppy
@stoma_scene
