Although I knew stress was bad for me, I didn’t fully understand how stress was literally changing the chemicals in my body (which directly affects the heart, endocrine system, immune system, nervous system…all major bodily systems). And although I’d practiced yoga many times over the years, it was through energy medicine that I came to know that yoga is actually the practice of engaging the body’s subtle energy. And although I’d considered myself a meditator for many years, it was my study of energy in the body that taught me that meditation is an energetic “getting to know thyself” practice. Bottom line is that I believe learning about energy medicine, and the practice of yoga and meditation, saved my life…and then changed my life.

After living with the idea that I likely had Lupus for about three months, I was finally given a diagnosis of having a “pre-disposition” to this incurable and sometimes fatal disease. My scare with lupus was one of many scares over the past several years that eventually caused me to stop and take a hard look at my life. I was tested for stroke several times; the worst being a late night in the ER at one of Seattle’s (training) hospitals where an intern practiced her lumbar juncture (spinal tap) skills on me. The “real” doctor eventually took over, but I gave the intern some good practice! I think I’ve paid my dues and will decline the role of guinea pig next time. I’ve been tested for pulmonary embolism; have scar on my neck from a biopsy to check for lymphoma; have a predisposition for hypothyroidism; irregular heartbeats in the upper and lower chambers of my heart as well at the occasional Supraventricular tachycardia, i.e., various forms of arrhythmia. Woe is me, right? Not really. All these things brought me to where I am today—more balanced, happier, healthier, and stronger than I’ve been in years! » Read more: Meditation Vs Medication