Yoga - Discussion of the week

arthritis_HP

Hi again everyone

It's Maya,

For those of you who took part in my discussion on the thread 'Acupuncture - Discussion of the week' you already know me. For those who may not be familiar I am a Master's student in Public Health and Health Promotion. Every week for three weeks I will host a new discussion on a different complementary therapy for managing OA pain where I am interested in hearing your first hand experiences with the therapy. Others with different conditions are welcomed to join the chats.

This week I want to hear your thoughts on YOGA!!!!!

Have you tried it? Are you a amateur or a pro? Do you find it helpful for your specific condition?

I don't have arthritis (just two malaligned vertebra) and I have done yoga a few times but I always feel like I'm not doing it quite.

Feel free to chat with me and others that may have some input.

Look forward to hearing from you all!!

Maya

skezier

Hi Maya,

Not tried it just the meditation thing. Thought I would bring it back up to the top of the page. Know a few people do use it though and they hopefully will be in soon. Cris x

elnafinn

Good morning Maya

I started attending a yoga class about 39 years ago, once a week and then twice a week. I never quite got hold of the breathing side of it all. I loved to do the poses. I was asked if I was interested in becoming a yoga teacher and I remember being taken aback but at the same time very proud to have even been considered. I never took up the offer. I used to practice daily. When I moved from London I went to a class but felt we did not get enough individual attention so left. I continued to do yoga at home every day and my daughter who is 31 now, remembers standing on her head when I used to do it and mimic other poses too. For years I have been doing stretching exercises combined with a couple of yoga poses. I am pretty sure that my mobility would not be as good as it is today if I had not got into the daily routine of exercising and I shall always be very grateful to the yoga teacher I had all those years ago.(I have OA)

Elna

carola

I started attending a weekly yoga class 5 weeks ago and loving it.

My best friend married a dude from india who does a yoga nothing like the commercial yoga classes fo lots of people. 6 maximum in a class so very personalised.

I find the breathing techniques amazing and use them greatly when I am in bed having difficulty in sleeping.

With regard to mobility it is greatly improved. I have been scared this last year to flex much and the yoga has shown me just how much I can do now so well chuffed.

It also has helped shown me that I can rejoin the world again and get out there as this past year I became a bit of a recluse cos of ilness.

I have PolyArthritis caused by my SLE (form of Lupus).

Carol

arthritis_HP

elnafinn wrote:

Good morning Maya

I started attending a yoga class about 39 years ago, once a week and then twice a week. I never quite got hold of the breathing side of it all. I loved to do the poses. I was asked if I was interested in becoming a yoga teacher and I remember being taken aback but at the same time very proud to have even been considered. I never took up the offer. I used to practice daily. When I moved from London I went to a class but felt we did not get enough individual attention so left. I continued to do yoga at home every day and my daughter who is 31 now, remembers standing on her head when I used to do it and mimic other poses too. For years I have been doing stretching exercises combined with a couple of yoga poses. I am pretty sure that my mobility would not be as good as it is today if I had not got into the daily routine of exercising and I shall always be very grateful to the yoga teacher I had all those years ago.(I have OA)

Elna

You are very dedicated with your yoga Elna and I am happy you are satisfied with your progress. I don't think I could have kept a routine for more than a month.

Maya

Maya

arthritis_HP

carola wrote:

I started attending a weekly yoga class 5 weeks ago and loving it.

My best friend married a dude from india who does a yoga nothing like the commercial yoga classes fo lots of people. 6 maximum in a class so very personalised.

I find the breathing techniques amazing and use them greatly when I am in bed having difficulty in sleeping.

With regard to mobility it is greatly improved. I have been scared this last year to flex much and the yoga has shown me just how much I can do now so well chuffed.

It also has helped shown me that I can rejoin the world again and get out there as this past year I became a bit of a recluse cos of ilness.

I have PolyArthritis caused by my SLE (form of Lupus).

Carol

Carol

I like the idea of a small class so that you get individual attention and not feel like you are in competition with the people around you.

And its lovely that you've regained your zest for living. Enjoy the present and all the best.

Maya

Lotsofpain

I used to run an activity centre for people aged fifth or more and we had 2 yoga classes which were very very popular and over subscribed. Service users reported a great deal of health benefits . We also introduced a laughter yoga class

woodbon

I used to do Yoga for about 3 years, before my oa came along, but the teacher left and was not replaced. As we live in the middle of rural Norfolk, there was nowhere within my reach. I really enjoyed the classes, although not past the beginners! Some of the physio's exercises seem to be very similar to some yoga stretches.
I think yoga can help keep you flexible, but really if you have any health issues, don't force it and make sure your teacher knows as well as the people treating you. I'm hoping to do palates and the teacher is a trained physio, but it is expensive, as, of course its all private.
Sue

arthritis_HP

woodbon wrote:

I used to do Yoga for about 3 years, before my oa came along, but the teacher left and was not replaced. As we live in the middle of rural Norfolk, there was nowhere within my reach. I really enjoyed the classes, although not past the beginners! Some of the physio's exercises seem to be very similar to some yoga stretches.
I think yoga can help keep you flexible, but really if you have any health issues, don't force it and make sure your teacher knows as well as the people treating you. I'm hoping to do palates and the teacher is a trained physio, but it is expensive, as, of course its all private.
Sue

Sue,
I agree with your statement on not forcing it if you having trouble or have health issues. It's all about what works for your body.

Maya

arthritis_HP

Good morning everyone!!

Seems like a slow thread.

Maya

whalewatcher

Good morning Maya

I have been doing Kundalini Yoga for the last 10 months & it has made a huge difference to my life, my self esteem & my strength & flexibility. We do a yoga set and a meditation each week & our teacher says 'do what you can, its not a competition'.
Looking at other people's posts I realise how lucky I am to have these classes. They are held at one of London's City Farms which is a beautiful peaceful place in the evenings, the quiet only broken by the occasional bleat of a goat.
What I gain most is a sense of achievement. Living with long term illnesses I've got used to gradually losing the ability to do things. To be able to hold a meditation pose for 31 minutes now when I couldn't manage 3 minutes when I started is a wonderful feeling. If I can do that, what else could I do if I tried!

Thank you Maya for starting these discussion posts

Val

dreamdaisy

I used to do yoga years ago but can no longer for two very good reasons: I cannot stand still for more than about two - three minutes and although getting on to the floor is relatively easy, getting up is anything but as my knees no longer bend sufficiently to enable me to rise unaided.

Some forms of yoga may be a good option for those with OA who do not require the assistance of sticks or crutches, or for those whose leg joints are not that badly affected, but for someone like me who clatters about with her crutches (even on what I laughingly call a good day) it just isn't possible, along with so many other things. DD

woodbon

Hi, Not all Yoga positions involve sitting on the floor and some and be ajusted to suit your needs. I've worked as a carer with very badly disabled people and at least 1 person who couldn't do anything for herself, managed to make her joints mobile with the help of her teacher. I watched amazed! But of course its like everything, and dosnt' suit everyone and if its not for you, maybe something else would be better for you. Love Sue

arthritis_HP

whalewatcher wrote:

Good morning Maya

I have been doing Kundalini Yoga for the last 10 months & it has made a huge difference to my life, my self esteem & my strength & flexibility. We do a yoga set and a meditation each week & our teacher says 'do what you can, its not a competition'.
Looking at other people's posts I realise how lucky I am to have these classes. They are held at one of London's City Farms which is a beautiful peaceful place in the evenings, the quiet only broken by the occasional bleat of a goat.
What I gain most is a sense of achievement. Living with long term illnesses I've got used to gradually losing the ability to do things. To be able to hold a meditation pose for 31 minutes now when I couldn't manage 3 minutes when I started is a wonderful feeling. If I can do that, what else could I do if I tried!

Thank you Maya for starting these discussion posts

Val

Val

Your post really made me smile because its exactly that positivity and self confidence that I like hearing from people. I know its not always easy to find a complementary therapy that works for you both physically and emotionally.

Plus the comment about the odd goat bleat cracked me up.
Keep on doing your yoga! All the best !!!

Maya

arthritis_HP

woodbon wrote:

Hi, Not all Yoga positions involve sitting on the floor and some and be ajusted to suit your needs. I've worked as a carer with very badly disabled people and at least 1 person who couldn't do anything for herself, managed to make her joints mobile with the help of her teacher. I watched amazed! But of course its like everything, and dosnt' suit everyone and if its not for you, maybe something else would be better for you. Love Sue

Sue

Its always a plus when you have a teacher patient enough to help you out.

Maya

arthritis_HP

dreamdaisy wrote:

I used to do yoga years ago but can no longer for two very good reasons: I cannot stand still for more than about two - three minutes and although getting on to the floor is relatively easy, getting up is anything but as my knees no longer bend sufficiently to enable me to rise unaided.

Some forms of yoga may be a good option for those with OA who do not require the assistance of sticks or crutches, or for those whose leg joints are not that badly affected, but for someone like me who clatters about with her crutches (even on what I laughingly call a good day) it just isn't possible, along with so many other things. DD

Dreamdaisy,

If there was a class specifically designed for people with crutches who had difficulty with floor positions and the instructor was really really patient and supportive...would you take the class?

Maya

arthritis_HP

Hello everyone!!!

Any new comments.

Maya

frogmorton

Sorry Maya

was at Hoar cross Hall doing of all things.....things like YOGA!!!!

I like it very much and always feel better after it.

I agree with those who say it is hatrd ro get on the floor and my balance has not ben 'right' since my back op :sad:

In answer to your question for DD l for one would love a class desinged for us lot. The classes at my local gym are monopolised by a clique of ladies who look down tgheir noses at me as I am 'younger' and should therefore be 'fitter' than they!!

Love

toni xx

arthritis_HP

Toni

Thanks for answering the question for DD.

I could never understand the competitive nature of some people at the most inappropriate times.

Keep enjoying your yoga!!

Maya

dreamdaisy

Sorry, I didn't realise I had been asked a question! I only came back to the thread to see what else had been said.

Would I consider it? Yes, but in the meantime I shall carry on with the relaxation exercises (taught to me in 1998 to help my fat knee go away, oh for crying out loud how stupid was that idea?) and my sports massages. The former doesn't do much physically but helps mentally, the second doesn't help much mentally but does help physically. DD