Cindy P, Toronto
When I joined the seven-day Prostration Group Practice class last February, 2019, I was suffering from a number of health conditions. A week and a half before the class, I had hurt my left upper arm. I was in pain and could not lift my arm above my shoulder. My doctor diagnosed this as Tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons) in the upper arm area, which would require twelve to sixteen weeks to heal. To help with healing, I took regular doses of anti-inflammatory herbs.
However, it was the prostration practice that gave me real results. On the very first night of the prostration class, I could already feel my arm loosening up. By the end of the seven-day class, my left arm had completely returned to normal. I could lift my arm above my shoulders and move it about freely. I also stopped taking the anti-inflammatory herbs*. Instead of taking months to heal, my arm made a complete recovery within one week of prostration practice!
I was also diagnosed with sleep apnea, a disorder where one’s breathing stops and starts repeatedly while sleeping, resulting in poor quality rest and daytime fatigue. To counter the effects of sleep apnea, I had to wear a breathing device (CPAP) every night. At the end of the prostration class, I was so happy because I slept very well for the previous two nights in a row without needing to put on the breathing device, while feeling fully rested and energetic the next day. In addition, as practice progressed during the week, I discovered that my arthritic knees were no longer cracking when doing prostration. My curved back had also become straighter.
Mentally, there were positive changes too. As a very analytical person, my mind was constantly on the go, racing from one topic to the next. As a result of daily prostration, my mind became calmer and I became more at ease. This helped improve family relationships, which were quite stressful at that time. As a result of a calmer mind, I began to reflect upon my interactions with those at home and the outcome was a more peaceful family unit all around.
Note: Effects of meditation may vary by individual.
*Bodhi Meditation does not encourage stopping or reducing medications on your own. Please follow your doctor’s advice.