"A well-rounded yoga program for those with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis improved pain by 40%. Participants also demonstrated overall improvement in arthritis symptoms, physical fitness, psychological functioning, and health-related quality of life."
Summary from: Yoga in sedentary adults with arthritis: Effects of a randomized controlled pragmatic trial. (Moonaz SH, et al)
What is yoga?
The word "yoga" comes from the Sankrit word "yuj" which means "to unite". Yoga practice can include physical movement, breath control, meditation, relaxation, positive thinking, or all of the above!
Do you need to be flexible to practice yoga?
No! Yoga can be adapted for all bodies, all abilities, and all goals. There are many yoga specific yoga poses (asanas) that require extreme flexibility - most people can not achieve these poses! Yoga is still yoga when you use blocks, blankets, pads, bolsters, pillows, etc. to improve comfort, alignment, and performance.
How do I know if yoga will help me?
Yoga can produce a variety of benefits on the mind and body. Tailoring yoga classes to your needs and abilities can help reduce pain, improve fitness, and increase function. Being mindful of how your body feels while doing yoga will help reduce the risk of injury. It will also help increase your enjoyment in your yoga practice.
Yoga classes for osteoarthritis & rheumatoid arthritis (per research article) are 60 minutes and include:
Meditation
Sun salutation warm-up
Isometric postures (asanas)
Breathing
Chanting
Savasana
Do you suffer from pain due to osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis? Email today to make an appointment!
