My introduction to self-healing began in 1982 when, as a new mother, I began to practice yoga along with Lilias Folan on TV. In 1985 I began a committed yoga practice with a local teacher and also began my study of astrology. In 1994, after completing a 2-year program, I was certified as Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist and opened a small yoga studio here in Medina.
In 1997, my world crashed and life came to a standstill as I experienced a major energetic trauma which 'fried' my nervous system and eventually led to the severe and debilitating pain of fibromyalgia along with chronic fatigue. I also suffered from spinal and nerve pain due to herniated discs in both my neck and low back, along with degenerative disc disease. My very large and active life suddenly became very small. The simple daily activities of waking up, getting dressed and making the bed became major accomplishments.
I was in pain constantly, the only daily variable was the severity. Some days the pain was so acute that taking a shower was excruciating, or I could wear only the lightest of clothing as anything too heavy would be unbearable to wear. I was so exhausted, I could drive no longer than 15 minutes at a time, for fear of falling asleep at the wheel. It took all the energy I could muster to get myself to the grocery store, then back home to put dinner on the table. If I could manage this, then it was a good day.
One day in 1998, I hit bottom when my energy was at an all-time low and I barely managed to make it to the grocery store. As I grabbed my cart and leaned on it for support, I realized that even if I could make it to the far side of the store, I would not have the energy to get back to the check-out, let alone drive myself back home. So I turned around and left the store, went back home and crashed on the sofa. I checked my blood pressure, which was a key indicator of my energy level in those days, and it was 75/42 ! I knew I could no longer continue to live like this and began to take stock of myself, what my life had become, and how I had gotten there.
Inside, I could barely feel my life energy - I felt like I was dying. I had an image of my inner life energy as a very tiny, sputtering flame, about to go out. It was then that something rose up within me and said, "No! Not yet!" It was at that very moment that my healing began as I decided I could not and did not want to go on like this. Whatever I had done to get myself into this condition had to stop and I knew I had to begin making some different choices and changing my core beliefs and attitudes. I pictured myself in the future, strong, energetic, and pain-free - I saw where I wanted to go, but had no idea how to get there. Somehow, just making that decision was enough, because it was soon after that my healing path began to unfold before me, one step at a time.
The last 10 years has been an incredible self-healing quest during the course of which I have experienced many forms of holistic and complementary healing modalities. I have learned so much from all the body workers and healers with whom I have worked. I was always intrigued with each type of healing, and briefly studied many of them... until the next one came along. I was drawn to all forms healing and was becoming a "jack-of-all-trades," as I couldn't decide on any one particular modality to study in depth.
It wasn't until I was introduced to Polarity that I found my home. I received my first Polarity session in Feb, 2004. I turned 50 in June of 2004, and after only 4 months of Polarity, it was the best I had felt in more that 8 years. By October of that year I was enrolled as a student at the Ohio Institute of Energetic Studies and Bodywork, in the APP training program.
Looking back, I now see that it was my exposure to and experience of the other modalities that had allowed me to appreciate and recognize Polarity as the umbrella which, from my perspective, encompassed them all. It's as if each modality had a piece of the puzzle, but Polarity has put all the pieces together! After all I had been through and experienced, it was ultimately Polarity which stood out for me as the most effective healing work I had ever received.
Although at one point I thought that I would never be able to work again, my health improved significantly and I started my business in May, 2005. I moved my practice to Rx Yoga Center for the Healing Arts when it opened in September, 2006. I then completed my RPP training, graduating in December, 2006, and incorporated Aquarian Elements in January, 2007. In January, 2008 I moved to my current location, Maximum Potential Chiropratic.
I continue to heal as time goes on, and my health is still improving. I no longer suffer with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, and my spine and discs have been healed through Chiropractic. Monthly Chiropractic Care continues to be an integral part of my holistic self-care regimin.
The healing that I have experienced over the past several years is what motivates me to help others. There truly is no limit to the healing potential of the body -- all that is required is a resolute decision, willingness to take personal responsibility, and flexibility to make the necessary changes in attitude and life style. It may not always be easy to do, but the rewards far outweigh the challenges.
