At the last Structural Yoga Therapy training, I had asked for your insight into a problem my wife has had for a long time. In medical terminology, she was found to have Premature Ventricular Contractions of her heart. The condition started in 1988 and has continued since. What she experiences on a daily basis (but randomly) is a feeling of “negative pressure” or a “sucking in” sensation. When several occur in succession, she feels a need to take a deep breath. This can be quite frightening for her. Stress will aggravate the condition, yet she can experience symptoms under seemingly no stress. She states that she always feels pressure in her chest. She has a significant left lumbar-right thoracic kyphoscoliosis that she refused bracing for as an adolescent.
The condition started at a very difficult time in our life and marriage. Through God’s grace, we have been able to work through most of the issues and circumstances under which the condition developed-yet it remains. She now feels her main stresses are work related. She is a Director of Cardiovascular Marketing, which translates to an unending workload with unrealistic deadlines and long hours (60 hour weeks are the norm). She tries to balance work with being a wife and mother.
She feels “sleep deprived” and has no time to take care of herself. I recognize my role in this and the need for me to make an income that can support my family and allow her to feel secure enough to walk away from all this for a simpler life. From a yogic perspective what do you think is happening at the pranic level with her heart? How might she work with it?
While the structural distortion in her spine and the related facial restrictions on the pericardium may be an aggravating factor, I doubt it is primary. Finally, when you see “the big picture” and the various levels on which an illness manifests, where do you start? Any insights or recommendations you have would be greatly appreciated.
Blessings to you, R