Yoga and UTI

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hello fellow yogis!

Sorry if this is a little TMI, but today I got a horrible UTI (Urinary Tract Infection).

Little back story: I have been really busy lately helping my husband open his new business. I took last week off from teaching and practicing yoga to focus on getting the business open. I know I pushed myself really hard and I knew the moment the I didn’t have to push so hard my body would get sick with something. And lucky me! I’ve been blessed with a UTI! I have taken today off to rest and I am drinking tons of water, taking cranberry pills, vitamin c, oil of oregano, acidopholous, you name it.

I would like to practice yoga again tomorrow (I wanted to practice today but that’s not happening), and I wanted to know if there are any asana which would help my UTI heal more.

I would also like to know if there are any asana which I should avoid until my UTI is completely over.

Let me know if you have any advice.

Thanks so much!

#2

You poor thing, I hope you feel better soon!

I can’t comment on asana, but I find that anytime I am injured or sick, sitting in meditation, breathing into the area with love, and allowing my body to release the localized tension, aids substantially in the healing process. In addition, I don’t try and make the pain go away during meditation, I allow myself to feel it with all its intensity and to deliver its message loud and clear.

#3

You know, you’ve just brought it to my attention, quite by accident, that there is no “teachers” segment of the forum here. I bring this up because you mention “too much information” (TMI) and such things should never be too much for a trained yoga teacher. After all, we’re dealing with the human body and all of its functions as our vocation, as our lives and livelihood.

Generally, I would hope one who is seeking to deal with an issue yogically would seek out a well trained teacher to do that work in a mindful, effective, and safe manner. That having been said…

There are three things already presented in the thread which I think bear mentioning. The first is David’s mention about about the use of meditation and breath as well as the hint of a communication in the word “message”. In yoga, which is its own modality, we learn that the physicality is merely a manifestation of something at a deeper level. And that is something for all practitioners to work on, initially with a skilled teacher with whom you’ve developed trust. I would add only the use of color and additional specifics (to my student) relative to this work.

The second thing is our OP’s approach through nutrition. Though I believe caution should be used so that we are not throwing everything and the kitchen sink at it. Some things which are very good on their own simply do not combine well with other things. I hesitate to go into nutritional specifics as that can rile up the medical community and that’s a group I’d rather not rile. So a PM to me would be more appropriate.

Generally speaking, for an asana practice I would avoid that which taxes the body thereby interfering with immune system efficiency. Any fiery practice would be ill-advise (to me). However a very gentle, supported practice would be lovely including appropriate time for pranayama and savasana. There may also be benefit in Supta Badha Konasana and Viparita Karani.

#4

Thanks David- I will be practicing this tonight. :slight_smile:

And also thank you Gordon! I am pretty comfortable with the body, as I am also a teacher (and student), but sometimes I say things and I realize other people are not as comfortable talking about the body’s functions as I am- so I threw the “TMI” in there. :slight_smile:

You speak of the physical being a manifestation of something deeper- and I completely agree. In this case, I am pretty sure this illness has been caused by my intense work and stress levels lately due to getting a business open in time, with no yoga or relaxation in my life. I had to do this- we had an opening date to contend with, but I knew that it was unhealthy for my body, and my body is now just begging for a break.

Yes, me throwing everything into my body but the kitchen sink probably wasn’t a good idea, but I did have my reasoning for what I was taking…

(cran pills- to help the bacteria not to stick to the sides of my urinary tract; oil of oregano- antibacterial- to kill off bad bacteria; acidophilus- a good bacteria for my intestines; vitamin c- to help increase acidity levels in urine and immune booster; lots of water- flush out system)

I don’t know if you’ve had a UTI before, but believe me you do anything in the world to help it go away! And luckily, my supplements worked because today I am feeling 95% better!! Just a bit tired- but no more pain or discomfort. :slight_smile: I was seeing a Naturopath for a few years, and I now see a Chinese Medicine Dr and Acupuncturist so I feel I have a pretty good grasp on the nutrition side of things, as part of their healings deal with nutrition. Plus I am a total foodie and health nut and read a lot about food and nutrition so I really feel I do have a grasp on that side of things. Thanks for offering to help me out though!

Yes, my body wants a gentle practice today. Nothing too crazy. I haven’t even wanted to do Nauli Kriya in the mornings so I have skipped that. I am also feeling a tenderness in my insides so I will be avoiding any deep twists today.

Thank you for all of your info! Have a great day!

#5

@GY
You are welcome, of course.
I was, however, speaking to everyone through you rather than right at you. And I see I was not consistent with my use of tense. I didn’t think YOU threw the sink. Actually your nutritional choices were very rational beginnings.

gk

#6

You are very welcome my dear. As someone who is struggling with illness and injury right now, I’ll say that the mind will do everything it can to avoid such a practice. I wish you all the best :slight_smile:

#7

Thanks Gordon and David! You guys are great. :slight_smile: