Dear community,
I’m so grateful. This summer has been one of huge, yet subtle, growth for me. Such is the potential of life changing diagnosis!
In June I went for some blood testing to determine if I was anemic, as I had been feeling extreme fatigue during my menstrual cycles for some time.
What I found out shocked me. “Your tests are abnormal. You have Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism. Your PCP called in a prescription for you” said the nurse on the phone.
As someone who considers myself very healthy, I was shocked to hear this and felt betrayed by my body. How could this happen to me? I do all the right things. I spend so much time on self care, I spend so much money on organic food, on cooking healthy meals every day. I practice yoga and meditation every day. I’m a health Practitioner for f#$* sake!
I also felt shocked at the phone call, that there was no mention of alternatives, of diet, herbs, or lifestyle suggestions, just a synthetic hormone to replace what my thyroid was not producing.
The conventional medical system is like this. If there is a problem a drug can solve, take the pill. If that causes another problem, there’s another pill for that.
But as an Ayurvedic Practitioner, I know the problems with that strategy. It treats the symptom, not the root.
I did not pick up the prescription.
Instead, I dove into all the healing modalities I know of, and searched inside myself for the wisdom to heal. I reviewed the module on the Endocrine System and the protocols for hypothyroidism from my Master of Science program. I took herbs and minerals, adjusted my diet.
I sought the support of a Naturopath, of energy healers, of body works, of my family.
I put all my major work commitments on pause for a while. I postponed my Yoga Teacher Training. I spent a lot of time this summer at home, and in my backyard, laying on the earth, gardening, resting in the hammock. I finally gave my nervous system the reset it has needed for years.
I tended to my throat chakra. I practiced a lot of singing, Oming, chanting, primal screaming, I worked on emotional release. I talked to my thyroid, to my body, reminding it it was whole and had the capacity to heal. I have gotten very curious about where in my life I am out of alignment, and in what ways I can be more true to myself.
And after 2 months, I went back for retesting. When I went to see my Primary Care Provider, she was surprised about the results. I was ecstatic when she told me that though the tests still showed I had antibodies (Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks your thyroid), my thyroid function had returned to normal range. She asked me what ayurveda was, and if she could have some business cards for her patients.
I still have work to do. Having an autoimmune condition means I’ll always need to pay attention to my body and deeply support it. But, really, in this world, we all need to.
Some day, I may need medication. I’m not opposed to that. But I’ll always try to heal first from within, and with the support of herbs, diet, and lifestyle. When we simply take a pill to treat a symptom, the root cause of the problem is always underneath it and will rear its head from another direction.
This is just my story. I’m not suggesting anyone else with Hashimoto’s, or another autoimmine condition, or anything else, can heal in the same way. We are all individuals and healing has many paths.
I share my story to offer hope. And to offer an alternative, or at least complementary, path to western medicine. There are SO many avenues for healing. The main aim of Ayurveda, and of my Ayurvedic healing practice, is to enliven the inner intelligence. I know in my heart that our body is supremely wise. From two cells, the intelligence of our body created our human form. It knows how to heal our wounds. It knows how to digest food and turn it into energy and new cells. And, it knows how to heal us. If only we get quiet enough to listen, and get honest enough to be absolutely true to ourself. That means no more masks, no more false pretenses, no more yes when we mean no, no more numbing, no more hiding behind false stories of who we are. It means embracing every aspect of ourselves, of unleashing the fullness of who we are and what we need and want.
I’d love to support you in your own health journey, as an Ayurvedic Practitioner, and as a friend. Explore Ayurvedic Wellness Counseling with me here.
Listen to me discuss my healing journey in more depth on my latest podcast episode of Your Inner Radiance.
And, consider joining me and Malka Russell live in Mexico this February 5-10 for The Great Return to Love Women’s retreat!
We’ll be nourishing our nervous system and liberating ourselves with:
Daily movement practices, dance, yoga, and somatic practices
Daily soaks in the private mineral springs
Delicious, revitalizing Ayurvedic inspired meals
Practices of self expression and connection: singing, sharing, laughing, and sound therapy.
Sound healing sessions
Hike along the beach to an incredible oceanfront restaurant
A Digital Detox experience
