A Yogi’s Naturopathic Self-care Manual
For Fostering Resilience In Pandemic Times by Dr. Ruddy, ND
“You can know something in the head for forty years and it may never have touched the heart.” Carl Jung
In the past months, all of us devoted yogis who had been so diligently practicing on the mat have been undoubtedly faced with the daily (perhaps even hourly) challenges of maintaining some semblance of equanimity amidst the constantly shifting sands of our collective existence.
Equanimity is a word that points towards a sense of balance, and more than ever, any effort to maintain balance applies to just about every aspect of one’s life disrupted by the current coronavirus pandemic. Curiously, our heart chakra (anāhata), which sits in the middle of the seven life stages of a yogi’s self-development, is central to governing our ability to not only survive but somehow transform and thrive during these very difficult moments in our history.
My intertwined vocations as a naturopathic doctor and a yoga teacher have instilled in me an understanding of the human heart not only in its basic & obvious role as part of the cardiovascular system, but also reminded me of its timely and relevant energetic connection to the immune system, which after all is largely why our human race has lasted this long on this planet.
An under-functioning immune system leads to higher susceptibilities to just about any type of infection (including covid-19), while an overzealous immune function also results in poor health outcomes. So, how can each of us navigate this immunological quandary?
My recommendations for simple yet foundational steps to practice consistently beyond CDC measures*:
Ensure adequate natural sunlight during daytime: Beyond its positive impact on serotonin synthesis for healthy mood regulation, sunlight also helps our body synthesize vitamin D, a hormone-like natural substance with a major role in immunomodulation (“immune balance”) clinically correlated with lower risk of viral infections including (you guessed it) coronavirus.
Ensure adequate sleep: Our nighttime being the equally important counterpart to daytime, a full night’s sleep (in the darkest, comfiest room possible) is our physiologic means for optimal melatonin production. Melatonin is a circadian (sleep-wake) hormone that protects many vital tissues/organs, including brain (antioxidant for healthy aging), gut (bowel peristalsis), cardiovascular tone/fitness, and (yes!) immune as well as inflammatory functions.
Ensure a dietary & supplemental regimen that focuses on high quality, food-based vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Seek out and consult healthcare providers who offer scientifically sound, trustworthy guidance.
Nurture your anāhata by practicing emotional hygiene. Think of it as heart (in addition to dental) flossing, both key to long-term immunity. Cultivate forgiveness and compassion, the former to help avoid being stuck in negative emotions and latter helpfully explained by another teacher as kindness in action. Own up to your own vulnerability, as being a yogi entails being committed to finding clarity & purpose in this life, thereby letting go of any previously unexamined tendency toward self-deception. The heart is where we deeply understand & value human connection (the real gold of our existence), through obvious as well as many creative means (yoga, music, art, craft, reading, journaling, nature outing or “forest bathing” are some wonderful examples).
Thank you for staying inspired and I look forward to seeing all of us practicing on the mat together again.
* Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html