Ashtanga Yogis with DMX and / or Lymphedema

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Hello All, anyone out there practice Ashtanga Vinyasa with either lymphedema or after DMX - or both as in my case?

I've been practicing since April. My progress is extremely slow but I've been showing up 4-5 times a week and it is doing me a world of good.

My "limitations" have also been quite challenging. I'm not evensure where the physical trauma ends and the emotional begins. I will keep striving.

lecolibri67

Hello Mariasnow,

I just came across your post about ashtanga from December. I am glad to hear from another ashtangi/survivor.

I had been practicing ashtanga for almost 8 years when I was diagnosed with bc a year ago. I had been reassured that my risk for Lymphedema would be very low; I had an SNB with only 3 nodes removed, lumpectomy and radiation.

I resumed my ashtanga practice very slowly just after 6 weeks post-surgery, and practiced throughout and after radiation. I found it empowerng to get right back to a shortened mysore practice. I have had to scale back all of my transitions--no more jump backs/through/modified chaturanga/ I back off arm lifts and wheel pose. I have been frustrated by these obstacles, but I try to approach the practice in a new way and focus on the breath, and working from my bandhas and core.

Lymphedema flared up for me 5 months after rads ended. After a long bike ride, my hand swelled up, especially my index and middle fingers. I was devastated at first. Somehow, I had thought that with all of my yoga practice--a practice which believes it is working the lymphatic system--I would somehow be spared LE. I did have some warning signs--cording (upper arm and truncal)--immediately after surgery; pain and tightness. 6 weeks after radiation I developed a bad cough which lasted for 3 months (and showed a trace of pleural effusion--though the rad. oncologist never called it pneumonitis) and took several rounds of steroids to clear. In the fall, an insect bite on my wrist turned to cellulitis, and I had some residual swelling. None of the doctors I saw at the time were concerned about it nor referred me to a lymphedema therapist. Once I had the big flare I started therapy and have started to get it under control, though my BS and RO both noted that I don't present typically for LE. It seems I also have some type of inflammatory arthritis the LE may have brought on in my fingers. There was some concern that I have an underlying connective tissue issue. After some rheumatological testing, it was found that I have high ANA and anti RNP, which is found in Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, though diagnostically, I don't meet criteria for this diagnosis. I guess at this point I am just watching and waiting. When I was given doxcycline for possible cellulitis, the finger swelling improved greatly...

The problem with my hand has me really worried (and I am right handed!), but I have resumed my ashtanga practice--cautiously. I don't want to let it go! Getting over the LE fear is the hardest part! I do wear a sleeve and a glove now--and wear a "yoga paw" over the glove when I practice for a better grip. I find that I do swell up a little after practice, but that later in the day--or the next day--the LE improves.

My LE therapist was trying to encourage me to go to a gentler practice. I understand her viewpoint, but I would rather stick with a very gentle ashtanga practice that can be modified than be taken by surprise with a different style of yoga. The discipline of the practice is more important. It is great that you are getting in 4-5 times a week. I would love to get back to this frequency again. I agree with you about the emotional trauma confronted often being greater than the physical trauma. So true!

ahdjdbcjdjdbkf

Awesome to hear from a fellow Ashtangi sister who is fighting the good fight. I practiced with a sleeve for several months when I returned after VLNT surgery. Now I am sleeve-free and VERY slowly adding a bit more strength. I'm only doing half wheel assisted on the ground...but I do it on some pillows in my bed just for my own sanity and it does seem to have a very good effect on activating clearing in my arm. Lymphedema is a daily fight...but while I'm focusing on my breath, I definitely get some relief. I've been very frustrated by my weight gain, but my yoga community generally treats me lovingly just the same.