Breathing in calm, Breathing out peace

I have been putting off going to the dentist for the past 2 years, hoping my teeth would get better. It never really got worse, but I knew that there would come a time when I would have to face this huge fear of mine. I am not a very big fan of the dentist, and never really have been. It freaks my out, and even thinking about it will give me a panic attack!

Soon I knew it was time, and so about a month ago I made an appointment with a highly recommended dentist in Tijuana. I was not happy with the idea of driving for 2 hours down south and 2 hours back up, nor waiting in the ridiculous line trying to get back to USA( sometimes you will wait up to 3 hours), but I decided to do it anyways.

So here I am laying in bed with my heart racing and breath speeding up, as I visualize my visit with the dentist. It’s nerve wrecking and it doesn’t do me any good to think about something that hasn’t even occurred…I stopped that old habit with other fearful challenges in my life, why can’t I do that with this? And so I did just that! I stopped thinking about it and decided that I am going to go calm and collected and that everything was going to be alright! Setting that intention alone changed the way I viewed what was going to occur and it didn’t frighten me anymore. *Intentions, I’m telling you, is Power~FULL stuff!

So, on top of having to go to the dentist, the drive and all that is really a full day mission. It’s not easy on the body physically to sit in a car and stand like that all day, but mentally, that’s a whole ‘nother story! And even though it can get really stressful “waiting” all day it seems, I am so grateful to Yoga and Ayurveda for teaching me how to keep me cool, even in the midst of chaos.

How do I do this? I was thinking about it (most likely on the drive down South), and what it comes down to is PREVENTION. It starts with my every day to day mind~fullness practices that keep me centered. The short term effects are great, but I know that it is the long term consistency in my practices that keep me balanced overall.
Then the day before going to dentist: I make sure I have work and my personal life taken care of so I won’t have to worry about them while I am away. I make my kitcheree in the morning and put it in a thermos so when I get back from the dentist I have something nourishing for my body. I also go through my Yogic and Ayurvedic routine so that I am grounded for my full day trip.
Even as I drive, or the walk to Tijuana, I work on staying aware of my breath and how I am holding my posture even as I sit in the dentists office. If I start to feel anxious I’ll stretch out a little bit and calm my breath.
The other day I was there for a root canal and I found myself chanting mantras to keep my cool.

It’s very refreshing to know that I have tools to reach for when I need them. Lately I have noticed that something that may have caused me much anxiety and stress in the past, does not bother me like it used to. Or with these “acute” situations, I notice that they are easier to “take care” of.

So even though I dread going to the dentist mainly because it takes up so much of my time, the fear of going has lost its grip on me. *Goddess bless those who fear the unknown*

Tryambakam mantra( ancient vedic chant) to help dispel fear and suffering:

Om Tryambakam yajamhe
Sugndhim pushti vardhanam
Urdhva rukamiva bhandahnan
mrityor mukshiya mamritat