Lyme Disease and Yoga Part I

I wanted to take the time share my experience of suffering through Lyme disease and how it led me to really get into yoga. I remember when I was suffering through the disease that it helped to read other people's experiences, so I hope this helps someone else. So the first part of this post is me telling my personal experience with Lyme. Part II will be how I connected through Yoga largely thanks to Lyme disease. 

So two years ago I found out I had Lyme disease. Everything about Lyme disease was a challenge. Diagnosis for me was a challenge that took around 6 months. My doctor had absolutely no idea what was wrong with me. I came in with a swollen knee, a classic symptom of Lyme, and she assumed that I torn something. She told me to not exercise for a couple months to let the injury heal. So I did that than came back after a couple months when the knee was still swollen. We did this two times before she decided I probably needed surgery!   

Despite the fact that I told her that I didn't experience any tear or pop that would indicate a knee injury, she sent me to get an (expensive) MRI then to a specialist. She also acted like the only possibility was that it was an injury that I somehow did not notice happening. Meanwhile, my Lyme is progressively getting worse as the disease inevitably does. The doctor insisted I go to the specialist she recommended, but I decided to go outside the circle to a different orthopaedic specialist. 

After looking at the MRI, the orthopaedic specialist said I only had a tiny tear in my meniscus that would hardly be worth operating on. Based on my other symptoms he suggested that I get tested for Lyme's disease, and he seemed pretty confident that it was Lyme's disease. When I went back to see my GP she was upset that I didn't go to who she recommend, because "he just would have gone ahead and gotten the surgery taken care of." Well, I'm glad I didn't get a unnecessary surgery, but whatever, what do I know? 
I do not blame my doctor at all, but it seems odd to me in an area where the disease is extremely common she had no knowledge of it. I just want to warn people out there to not expect your GP to know what Lyme's disease is or to know to diagnose it. If you live in an area where Lyme disease is common it is a good idea to familiarize yourselves with the symptoms just in case, let the goddess forbid, you get Lyme's disease yourself. Very little research will show you how often Lyme's is misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all, so be careful out there!

So back to my story, I went to Lab Corp to get tested for Lyme disease. After waiting a couple of weeks for my results, it turned out I had Lyme disease. I simultaneously experienced fear and relief. I was glad to know what was wrong with me after a half year of limping around, but oh shit, I just got diagnosed with a serious disease.

Once you are diagnosed there are two courses of action. The doctor will either prescribe you just pill antibiotics or an IV bag of antibiotics. My doctor, yes I stayed with the one who was mad I didn't get surgery I didn't need, said we should start with the pills then see if it was necessary to progress to the IV bag. Fortunately for me, two rounds of the antibiotics "cured" me as far as you can get cured from Lyme disease. 

Taking the pills suck. Your joints will hurt. The antibiotic brings out the worst of the symptoms including something called Lyme arthritis. It will be hard to get out of bed. You will need to constantly take pain killers. You can't go in the sun without risking getting burnt. 

On the sad side of things I had to limp my way around for about half a year including a trip to Seattle. My knee is only now starting to get back to 100%, but it still honestly occasionally hurts if I bend it the wrong way. It is supposedly normal to take a long time to heal if you are experiencing any joint swelling due to Lyme. Yeah, it sucks, but I promise one day it will get at least almost all the way better. Maybe. You'll just have to be patient (not that I was) for things to get back to normal. 

If anything I have Lyme to thank for a deeper appreciation of things like er, walking, but I also have a deeper appreciation for Yoga too. I also really, really hate ticks now. Not that anyone really likes ticks, but GEEZ, how lame is it that something tiny as a tick can throw a person's life off balance for years.  

Thank you Lyme disease for pretty much ruining my trip to Seattle.

A Guide to Practicing Yoga Outside

Some people practice outdoors without their mat, we like to take our gear. 

My favorite place to practice is out in the great outdoors. When you settle on the yoga mat for your practice, you'll slowly feel nature come to life. The sun on your shoulders will warm you as the birds and squirrels start scuttling around in the background. One of the most interesting things about practicing outside is how animals will come very close by to those practicing yoga, as if they have some insight into the peaceful nature of the practice. By the end of your practice you may feel like Snow White or some other Disney Princess surrounded by all of the critters. 

The following is a guide on how to do yoga outside for people who already have a home practice. If you do not have a home practice, I recommend doing some research, chatting with your teacher and planning to establish what your flows will be doing outdoors. It is such a rewarding experience to practice outside, I hope you will enjoy your outdoor practice.

Step 1: Get Prepared 

Gather all of your props- the mat, blocks, a water bottle, blankets, straps and anything you will need for your practice ready to take outside. There is nothing worse than needing to stop the physical and mental flow of a work out, because you need to go back inside to grab something.   

For practicing yoga outside, you will need one very special piece of equipment, a beach towel or blanket, to go under the mat. You will want to use one of those items as a ground cover between your mat and the surface you practice on outside. This prevents you from tracking in any dirt, pesticides, squished bugs and other icky things into your home. 

You should also prepare your skin for the elements. Bug spray, sunscreen, etc. to make sure you can enjoy the outdoors without the unpleasant and unhealthy side effects of bug bites and sun exposure.

Step 2: Scope out Your Spot   


Find a place to preform your yoga practice outside. Ideally somewhere with a flat surface. Porches are a really good option, but you can go out in the grass if you are so inclined. It is a little more lumpy, but it can be fun to get that close to the Earth for your practice.

At my house I do it in the backyard to avoid the noise of traffic and advertising the fact I'm doing yoga. In the dangerous world we live in, it is good also not to unnecessarily draw attentions to ourselves by bending every which way in our front yards. It also ensures no "friendly" passer-bys will feel the need to make chit chat when you are in the middle of your practice. 


When you set out your blanket or towel make sure that it is flat as possible on the ground. Any major wrinkles you will actually be able to feel through your mat. After your ground cover is down, roll out your mat on top.   


Step 3: Yoga Outside Leaves no Trace

Important Warning (especially for Marylanders): When you come in, make sure to check for ticks! Tick-borne Lyme disease is a huge problem in Maryland with over 100,000 cases reported annually according to the CDC. It is also a very under-reported and under-diagnosed disease, so that number is actually probably low. You should even take a shower to make sure to wash off any ticks that may have leached on, and this will also allow you to wash off any bug spray, sun screen and sweat you worked up during your practice.  

The rest is just a matter of hauling everything inside. To reduce laundry I actually put my beach towel in a safe place, so I can take it out the next time I'm ready to practice outside. If you love it as much as I do, that won't be too long after your first outdoor practice.