meet Juanita!
One day I woke up like this!
In 2015, I was happily approaching 53. So of course, it was time to begin noticing changes with my face and body...no big deal. Some of the changes were exciting, some funny, some were...well, changes. It was all part of the divine process!
But one morning, to quote Queen Bey, "I woke up like this". Yikes! A big knot on my left eyelid. I was sure this look is not what she meant. I was equally sure this was not part of the divine process of aging.
So off to the doctor I went.
A couple of doctors and specialists to be exact. No one seemed to know what was going on. Nothing was lodged in my eye. I wasn't sick and it didn't hurt. "Swelling of the orbit", "Unspecified mass", "Unusual inflammation", were some of the diagnoses I received. "Hmmm" concluded the final ophthalmologist. "No pain, inflammation. It's likely cancer. Surgery is needed".
I schedule the surgery. The doctor also has an immediate biopsy performed with the pathologist to do the tissue exam to confirm the cancer.
Upon waking up from the surgery, the doctor said surgery was fine. "Surprisingly no cancer". Everything looked good but he didn't remove the lump. I'm thinking didn't remove the lump? Looks great? No, I don't look like a gigga monster. No, I didn't have cancer and yes, I can see just fine but excuse me doc, my eye doesn't look fine and the lump is still there! It looks like it did pre-surgery with a lot more swelling!
The doctor spends the next 6 or 7 minutes adamantly trying to convince me otherwise. Nevertheless, the doctor decides the next step is to prescribe steroids..."let's see if that helps with the inflammation. We'll do a follow up in a month". I couldn't believe it. I leave his office feeling defeated.
The power of plants!
I remember thinking steroids? inflammation? WTF!? However, by the time I make it to my car, WTF was replaced with the image popping in my head of the nurse practitioner from my childhood prescribing my mother celery to give me for my shaky nerves. I wasn't even sure why that memory surfaced. But it lead me to research all about inflammation and natural remedies. I began to remember a lot of things from my childhood. Like the many remedies Grandma Cooper gave us. The cherry tree in the back of our yard. The coco butter. The tea. The caster and olive oils. After all kinds of reading and research, I immediately changed what I ate.
Around three weeks later, you could visibly see the eyelid lifted and the "appearance" of the gigga monster was gone! I didn't even bother with the follow up doctor's appointment....and yes, I tossed the steroids!
Natural remedies to the rescue!
Naturally, passionately and spiritually, I was guided to a range of natural remedies from eating a plant based diet, discovering herbs and teas to yoga and ayurveda. Not only did I noticed the healing effect from eating a plant based diet had on my eye, but I noticed my skin. How pretty I looked. How tranquil and happy I felt.
I was hooked and wanted to learn everything! Share everything! It quickly became my mission to integrate nature back into life in a modern, simple and practical way. To this aim, I began my studies as a holistic health practitioner and yoga instructor.
Joyously, Calm and Grounded was born! To share the healing tools and knowledge of yoga, ayurveda and plant based eating for health, happiness and healing...naturally!!
Namaste
Juanita Rodgers, RYT 200, HHP
Today, 2023, my eye looks and feels great! Just the obvious, natural signs of aging! In 2021, I became a Yoga Alliance registered (RYT-200) Yoga Instructor and American Association of Drugless Practitioners Board Certified Holistic Health & Ayurvedic Practitioner.
Besides the many physical benefits, I practice and teach yoga because it makes me happy. It truly is a one size fits all solution to improve mental health, emotional health, physical health and overall mood.
I practice Ayurveda because it is the knowledge of life. It encourages the natural therapies to maintain my balance between my body, mind, spirit and the environment.
I eat a plant based because it is a higher quality diet and provides optimal results.
Disciplines
Yin Yoga
Restorative Yoga
Vinyasa Yoga
Kemetic Yoga
Memberships and Affiliations
Yoga Alliance - RYT-200
American Holistic Health Association
Yoga International
Ayurvedic Institute
American Association of Drugless Practitioners
American Red Cross -Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED
brand partnerships
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