My Story with Osteoporosis
I was diagnosed with severe Osteoporosis in 2011. Other than offering medication that I would not take, the doctors didn’t have much to offer me and I was pretty much in denial for the first two years. I then got very serious in 2013 when my bone density was even lower. I started working with a Naturopath, taking supplements, eating right etc. Two years later- I was worse, again!! Still the doctors only offered medications that do not work in the long term so I continued to study, research, trained to teach Yoga for Osteoporosis, consulted, read more, learned more and so on. In one year, I had a 7% increase in bone density of my spine using natural approaches. This is a significant improvement!!! I had a bit of a regression in 2017, although I was still ahead. The news for 2018 is that I had significant improvement in my hips!! Although there is evidence that suggests that the DEXA scans are not always accurate, and bone density does not necessarily predict fragility, it is affirming to see my numbers moving in a positive direction. The focused weight bearing that I am teaching in Osteoporosis Yoga combined with bone healthy eating and a bone healthy life style is clearly making a difference for me. In 2023 I finally was able to get a Trabular Bone Score test as part of a Dexa Scan. The TBS zooms in and looks at the fabric of the bone. What I discovered was that the structure of my vertebra looked not just normal but better than normal. As I have been saying for a long time, Bone Density as measured on the Dexa, does not predict fracture. Many of us slightly boned, thin women are over diagnosed. To get a TBS you just need to find a place that has the software installed on their Dexa machine. Talk to me and I’ll send you a link to find a center near you!! I urge everyone to get a TBS before deciding on treatment.
What I have learned over the years is that improving Osteoporosis is an ongoing, lifelong process. Each person needs to understand their unique, personal situation with bone loss and move forward from that knowledge. First step is understanding what your situation actually is and second is to determine the cause. Although I still have plenty to learn and my research and learning continues, I am happy to share the knowledge I have gained with others who are given this scary diagnosis. Actually, I feel a strong calling to do this work. Each man or woman with bone loss should be well informed about bone health and all the possible treatments that are appropriate for his or her specific situation, especially the ones that involve working with the whole body.
On January 20th 2018 I offered my first 4 hour Workshop on all things Osteoporosis. The workshop went very well and I found that more time was needed so my workshops were 5 hours long. I led two 5 hour Workshops and decided to make the Workshops full day events. The first 8 hour Workshop was held in September of 2019 from 9-5 at Pure Light Yoga in N Chelmsford, MA. The full day workshop was a great success and there have been a few since! Due to covid, I led an online workshop divided into 3 parts in 2021. This went well by all accounts. I’m happy to report that I again offered an online Workshop In March 2023 and also led an all day workshop in Westford, MA on March 25th 2023. I am leading an Osteoporosis Retreat April 5-7, 2024 (See Below). I am also leading an Online Osteoporosis Workshop in 3 parts in February. Click above on the Workshop button to learn more about Workshops. I am teaching weekly Osteoporosis yoga classes online only. My classes are Mondays at 4:30 and Friday at 9:00. First class is free.
The most wonderful thing that I have to offer is an Osteoporosis Retreat. A retreat allows time to explore deeply, to share with others, to meditate, walk, sing, laugh, learn about and practice bone healthy eating and of course practice Osteoporosis Yoga all in a most beautiful setting. My husband, Richard Davis (click on about us to learn more about Richard) and I have been leading Restorative Retreats for the past 4 years. We love leading Retreats and decided to bring our restorative, healing retreat format into a retreat specifically for Osteoporosis. We led our first Osteoporosis Retreat in April of 2018. We found that my Osteoporosis yoga teaching and practices are well complimented by the beautiful music that Richard has to offer. Our third Osteoporosis Retreat was held in March of 2020.
We are now happy to say that we are leading our 4th Osteoporosis Retreat April 5-7 2023 at the Ferry Beach Retreat and conference center in Saco, ME. Click on retreats above to learn more and to register.