I'm no stranger to taking care of myself. As a former competitive athlete, turned yoga student and yoga teacher I've experienced the mind, body connection for most of my life. As a gymnast I experienced both success and failure from being on and off my mental game. As a yoga student and teacher I know when times get tough, the tough get breathing and present to is beyond and within our control. However, everyone has their breaking point. Mine came on Monday.
It's no secret that Chicago has had an usually tough winter. All over I'm hearing people talk about the added stress and even depression these cold, damp and dark days are placing on them. On this particular Monday I was trying to get into the city for a meeting with a new client. I was de-thawing my freezing cold hands in the car and becoming increasingly agitated and as the snow fell and the traffic stood still. I wrote a cool, calm and collected e-mail to my new client about how I'd be late for our first ever meeting. However, in reality this made my type-A-personality's blood boil, because as we all know first impressions are everything, and here I was late.
In that moment, my day was ruined, the client wasn't ever going to respect or trust me, let alone hire me to do the work. Lots of evil thoughts crossed my mind about cold weather, traffic, winter, the entire city of Chicago, heck the whole Midwest for that matter. I felt envious of those in warmer climates, pitied myself for not having the funds to pack up and head some place warm and finally, pure and utter frustration that I didn't have a flying car that could magically float above traffic and get me to my meeting on time.
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What a way to start my day. Oh and did I mention, I grabbed the wrong lid to my coffee mug? So upon my first drink, I spilled coffee all over my car and my freshly washed white coat. So there was that. Cut to five hours later on that same day and the difference in my stress level and overall state of mental well-being would be night and day. Where was I? Acupuncture. Now, I know you might be thinking, “Needles?” “The doctor, that causes me more stress and anxiety,” but acupuncture isn't like that.
My session started with a hug. It had been a while since I'd seen my acupuncturist. She listened intently as I shared with her how my stress was playing out in my body. Sore shoulders, tension in my neck, head aches. Acupuncturists often treat less patients per day than “normal” doctors, this frees them up and allows them to spend quality time listening to your concerns. It's refreshing. Next I laid down. The warmth of the heated table hit me immediately. It took the chill out of my bones, it softened my mood and warmed my soul. The heat lamp hit perfectly on my perpetually frozen winter toes and she began my session with massage.
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As I moved from a place of stress and even depression into a more relaxed space, my senses were able to pick up on one other thing. The music. Soothing tones crept into my ears and brought my mind into a state of total joy. I laid there wishing all the people in this cold city who've felt the effects of a long winter could experience what I was experiencing; a warm table, a healing touch, a serene setting, a healing foundation if you will...
And so this blog was born. To share with my journey from stress, to restoration, without ever having to pack a bag. Right now as I sit looking at the sun hitting the snow, I feel comfort that Spring is near. You can find your Healing Foundation(s) at 2112 W. Belmont in Chicago, IL.
By Jill Plourde
