Who Knew A Colonoscopy Could Be So Fun?!

Having reached the milestone of a half century last year, it was time to finally get my ever dreaded, preventative Colonoscopy. My mother had polyps in her 50s, and since hereditary plays a part, I was eager to confirm that my colon was Polyp-free! Though I was confident my lifestyle choices of proper diet, and years of hot yoga and Pilates supported a clean colon, I definitely believe in getting this preventative procedure that makes colon-recto cancer almost 100% preventable. What I didn’t expect, were some of the other interactions that also reinforced all the years of leading a healthy,  ‘Hot Yoga Lifestyle’, have really paid off. You may also be wondering what is going on in these photos, and don’t worry, I will come back to that. 

  Once I arrived for my procedure, the nurse took my blood pressure.  She was really impressed with my reading, 110/62. I have to say that I know that 20 years of yoga have given me excellent blood pressure. (One of the many side benefits of an Original Hot Yoga practice.) But the nurses were so surprised by my blood pressure; they took it again, only to reveal the same number.  (Why should such healthy blood pressure be so abnormal?) 

Next, they asked me about any medications I may be taking, but I take nothing, which also surprised the staff. Why is it shocking to not be on any medications?  There’s obviously a place in our society for medication, but has it really become the norm, for everyone to be taking something? Don’t we want to avoid taking medication if at all possible?  When I think of going to an orthopedic surgeon at a big Cedars Sinai office in LA when my arthritis started in my late 20’s, all he offered me to “help” me, were 3 prescription drugs and a diagnosis of a hip replacement in 3-5 years. (I was only 28 at the time, and did not want to take these drugs!) It was after this appointment that I knew this was not the path I wanted to take and sought out a more natural way to decrease arthritis pain and put off a hip way beyond age 31.

I have also learned that many people became addicted to opioids after having them prescribed for pain. (especially in the mid-90s when I went to this doctor.) I know that certain teens were particularly susceptible and some of the biggest victims of our current opioid crisis that is currently getting litigated in court with huge judgements. Why are pills being prescribed so effortlessly? I’ve had 2 C sections and a hip replacement in the last 15 years and in my experience, doctors love to prescribe pain pills even when you don’t want them. I realize sometimes people are in pain, and pain pills are appropriate, but ideally, you want to stop taking them as soon as possible.  Also, more doctors should explore alternatives or complimentary natural ways to alleviate pain like stretching, strengthening, physical therapy and of course, yoga.   

The third thing that happened, as I got rolled into the room for the procedure, was my nurses’ shock at my age and that I, “looked great for 50.”  I realize they may say that to everyone, but I know a consistent and frequent Hot Yoga practice keeps you looking great at any age. I also saw this first hand in my early days of practicing in Beverly Hills with these women in their 60s and 70s that looked phenomenal and were amazing people. They did not only look great, but they just had a light and energy that shone inside and out.  Their yoga practice was clearly their foundation to an overall healthy life. I aspired to be just like them when I started practicing at 28, and while I am still quite young at only 51, I hope to inspire others as well.