New Yoga Poses

It is hard to imagine that the idea of being stagnant is actually progress... in a backwards sort of way... when you have diseases that are degenerative.
Although practicing yoga is an attempt to improve my flexibility, I may never improve because my joints and bones may entirely prevent that improved mobility.
So I have to work hard to stay the same. I have to aim for increased flexibility but, simultaneously, have pride if I can stay where I currently am.

Mind boggling.

As it stands, though, I am now able to practice a couple of new types of yoga poses.
Usually, any balance pose that requires balancing from anywhere near the SI joints was out of the question. Balancing on joints that are consistently inflamed, injured, eroded... yeah that is far too painful. BUT last week, thanks to this amazing hubby of mine, I have a new tool for my yoga practice. It is a meditation pillow from Indigo. It is essentially a small, circular, thick bean bag. It is stiff enough to carry all of my weight, but soft enough to absorb the pressure.
Because of this pillow, I have actually been able to practice stable balancing poses that I could not practice before.

Further to that even, if I have to sit on the floor to play with the pups, or if I need extra cushioning when I am playing piano or eating dinner, this has provided me that comfort that I am needing.

I have been eye-ing these meditation pillows for months... but I have been reluctant to spend the money. Then, they went on sale. So my hubby bought me the pink one! Smart man. ;)
Versatile and comfortable. It is helping my floor practice so much.

Cheers to new tools that help me meditate, practice, and feel comfortable while doing so.

Fight the Fusion

Out of every disease that I suffer from, two of the most terrifying for me are Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) and Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS).

While HAE can be considered to have less of a progressive future, AS is one of those diseases that you do not want to see ahead of time what the future may hold.
This particular spondyloarthropy causes inflammation, erosion, and fusion mainly within the SI Joints and spine. It can affect other regions and in severe cases can fuse the ribs together - which can cause severe organ complications. It is often diagnosed in young adulthood and can progress very quickly.
With any chronic illness, there are infinite variations and differing experiences, but the overall progression is similar. Inflammation - Erosion - Fusion - potential surgery.
So that is why we have to do everything in our power to slow down this frightening process.

The complication of also having HAE is that many of the medications used to slow down AS is contraindicated; the Biologic medications tend to exacerbate HAE symptoms. When HAE attacks consist of throat swelling and obstructed breathing, these medications are not safe.

This fact is another reason why I have been practicing yoga so much more in recent months. Staying active as much as possible has been shown to potentially help slow down fusion in the spine. So, although I cannot be active every single day, nor can I be active for more than ten minutes or so at a time, I will Fight the Fusion by being committed to stretching and strengthening my body.

Along with this blog, I chronicle much of my battle with chronic illness on other platforms.
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Share your stories and videos, DM my page if you would like to be featured, and help give a voice and awareness for all of us suffering with Ankylosing Spondylitis, with chronic illness, with inflammatory illnesses, who are doing what they can, whenever they can, to maintain an active lifestyle in some capacity.