ARE YOU GETTING IN YOUR OWN WAY?

Do you often find yourself saying, "Been there, Done that!"? Could this possibly be your own defense mechanism for your own resistance to follow the road that leads to good health? Or do opportunities come up over and over again to allow you to experience the opportunity with an entirely different energy? Perhaps you weren't ready to hear how the information was presented the first time. The second time, you may be in a different place on your personal health path.

My teacher says that in yoga, we often do many poses over and over again. It may be the same old pose over and over until this pose reveals what it needs to reveal. Can we approach what may feel like the "same old thing" with a new mindset and open- ness to learn? Perhaps it is very different, but you are not listening to what is being said.

When I tell prospective clients that I combine yoga in my eating disorder recovery programs, some will interrupt with, "Oh, I do yoga already," not realizing exactly the purpose of yoga, its philosophy and application beyond the physical practice.

Simona Seiderman, MSW, LCSW, is a Clinical Social Worker in West Bloomfield and is experienced in working with this resistance to change. She shared the following information with an audience of auto- immune related disease patients a number of years ago and will repeat them now. For some of you who read the following almost 10 years ago can perhaps approach these words in a new frame of mind.

"Some individuals shop around for a doctor or therapist with the "magic cure." Once they have the road to health mapped out, they refuse to follow protocol. Some fear becoming dependent on the treatment, while others are afraid being well may create a loss they will not be able to handle."

One of the first guidelines that I learned in my yoga teacher training was, "Continuity of practice is the secret to success." Another mentor of mine often said directly, "Just follow the plan!" And, in Universal Teachings by Christina, my favorite message is, "With all you are getting, get understanding."

Ms. Seiderman also says, "At times, the pain and illness is used as a defense mechanism. For some, it is a way of being punished for a real or imagined "sin" they feel they need to atone for. For others, it is a built-in excuse for not meeting responsibilities. In yet others, it is way of thwarting success. After all, what can be expected from someone who is sick?"

Can you have a "disease" and still be healthy? Let's define Dis -ease and disease. "Dis- ease means one may not be functioning at the fullest potential. For example, this can be an imbalance in one's hormones or brain chemistry. With disease, one may have various symptoms that classify one as having that particular disease, but they can still function and be as healthy as possible if they take care of themselves.

I believe each of us is charged with the responsibility of taking good care of ourselves. To meet this responsibility we must be cognitive of our needs, aspirations, motives, as well as our defenses. Armed with this information, we are equipped to make healthier choices. Ultimately then, we can care for ourselves in the best possible way.

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