My journey in adopting a holistic lifestyle started with my fascination with yoga. I was in need of a weight loss regimen that was going to stick and that I was going to stick with. I heard of yoga - its mental and physical health benefits - and was curious but it wasn't on my radar. I became interested in it solely by chance; I was on-demand channel surfing. If you can believe I was watching a Date Line episode about sexual harassment/assault. Without going into detail, it involved yoga.
Anyway, I was watching this episode and learned a lot of interesting tidbits about yoga. For instance, yoga is an umbrella term that describes several types of yoga. Yoga also has levels of difficulties. You can even study and master in yoga, which is the first step to becoming a Yogi; someone who teaches yoga. From this one random and commonplace search for entertainment, I was instantly intrigued.
I was so enthralled with yoga that I bought an eBook on the subject; Yoga for Dummies. By the way, I would like to mention that the "...for Dummies" books are the best; very informative on any subject that it publishes. So, I downloaded Yoga for Dummies onto my cellphone and started reading. Did you know yoga is a 5,000 year old Indian – from India – tradition? I knew it was a foreign practice but didn't know from where exactly. Another fact I bet you didn't know; Yoga is a religious practice aimed at finding enlightenment and becoming one with your environment, getting closer to nature.
My research led to my excitement to practice yoga. My motive, as you know, was to lose weight and to regain my flexibility. I searched for yoga apps for beginners, tried several of them, eventually finding one I enjoyed. I was six months into my yoga training when I, not only lost some weight but, realized the mental benefits I read about. I didn't achieve enlightenment, of course, but I was energized and ready to start my day, had stamina, and was even calmer.
I intimated that yoga started my holistic journey, well my mental health spawned it further. I was diagnosed with Anxiety and Postpartum Depression. I was given this diagnosis while I was in a tumultuous long term relationship with my children's father. A lot was going on with me and it was happening all at the same time. I was overwhelmed and at a loss of what to do. I was prescribed anti-anxiety medication; which I still take; and had to come to grips with the fact that I was officially disabled. What was a single mother to do?
The first thing I did was prayed. Yes, I prayed, as a matter of fact, I still continue to pray. My relationship with the Lord has been my lifeline through so much disconnect – it has also been my lifesaver. I will always hold onto my faith and have added prayer and spiritual practice to my regimen. I have a bible app on my phone that I read from. I follow bible-based plans from my bible app that have helped tremendously.
The second thing I did was re-evaluate my relationship and how that affects my state of mind. It took me a long time to complete this step and I struggled while doing so. This also took a lot of prayer and some very deep soul searching. Nonetheless, I left my five year relationship behind and concentrated on building back the bits of self-esteem I lost in the process. I even got back on then got off the dating wheel; ultimately deciding to stay off to focus solely on my mental and physical health.
Next, I researched herbal alternatives to my anti-anxiety medicine. I looked into herbal vitamins and even read up on the benefits of medicinal marijuana. I settled on medicinal marijuana as a choice. I haven't jumped ship yet. I'm currently looking for the right big girl panties for this conversation with my physician. But, medical weed is the alternative I've decided on taking.
I feel the need to share that I had a few depressive episodes that set me back big time. I struggled with insomnia, mood swings, lethargy, having no appetite, the inability to care, and physical pain all associated with Depression. Having no appetite and not caring to get up to cook led to me gaining 40 pounds; I'm now 300 pounds. My children and their well-being is what kept me from jumping off the cliff. I came out of it all roaring, fighting for my life. Now that I'm back on track, I found my interest in yoga reengaged and has manifested into full blown reprograming my life, introducing holistic practices and even entering a new spiritual journey.