| Yoga and MS |
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The practice of yoga can be of
great benefit to those with
Multiple Sclerosis. Because
yoga is a holistic art, the benefits are
physical, mental and emotional. This
article will discuss the ways yoga can be
customized to assist a person with MS
in reclaiming their lives and sanity.
While yoga is not a cure, it can increase
circulation, improve muscle tone, help
with balance and assist in the ability to
deepen your breath and relax.
On a physical level, it is important to find
the right yogic approach and remember
the specific needs of people with MS.
There are many styles of yoga and not
all yoga classes would be helpful. Some
in fact would be harmful, for example, a
power-vinyasa class that emphasizes
heat and vigorous movements. Instead,
it is very important that the person/student
with MS focus on simple movements,
relaxation techniques and avoid
anything that increases heat, stress and
fatigue.
Since MS is a breakdown in the nerve
fibers and not the muscles, often the
student has more ability than they realize,
and it is important to utilize as much
muscular capacity as possible.
Simple movements, coordinated with
the breath, help to locate and strengthen
neural pathways and keep joints and
muscles mobile. An example would be
to lift the arms on the inhale and lower
them on the exhale. In Gary Kraftsow’s
book, Yoga for Wellness, there is a complete
practice developed for one of his
students who has MS. The Viniyoga
style, which Kraftsow has made well
known, is an effective approach for
many conditions, including MS.
When we are stressed, our breath
becomes shallow, and we hold the muscles
in a “fight-flight” state of tension. It
is important to observe places in the
body that are holding tension and
address them through simple stretches
and movements, while encouraging
long, relaxed, diaphragmatic breathing.
Neck rolls and slow twists, for example,
help to release tension in the neck, back
and shoulders. Also, holding the yoga
postures isometrically, pulling muscle to
bone, will help to strengthen the muscles
and bones as well as improve coordination.
The “quick-release” method has been
found to be very valuable as well. To do
“quick-release,” go through the entire
body, starting with the toes, and
squeeze themuscle tight, one body part
at a time. Hold for 4-5 seconds and then
quickly let go with a “falling-out” exhale,
aaahhhh…
The Iyengar style of yoga, because of its
emphasis on the creative use of props
to assist in postures, its therapeutic
approach and the slow, detailed focus
on the physical action, is also an effective
modality. A person with MS will have
to modify if they are in a regular class,
however, and be sure not to hold the
postures very long. An inspiring Iyengar
teacher, Eric Small, has managed MS
with the benefits of yoga. He has had
MS for over 45 years and is 70 years
old.
To help a person with MS learn to relax,
supported stretches are a wonderful
way to receive the benefits of yoga in a
passive way. Supported postures, also
affectionately called “advanced lying
around”, involve positioning bolsters
and blankets to allow the student to
relax in simple forward bend, backbend
and inverted positions. People with MS
should particularly make a daily practice
of simple inversions; such as supported
shoulder stand and “legs up the wall”
pose, to improve circulation.
When yoga postures are held for a relatively
longer time, as in these supported
variations, the mental-emotional effects
of yoga are more accessible. The science
of yoga acknowledges that the
cells of the body carry around our memories,
especially trauma. When the body
is held in certain positions while we
focus on relaxing, our “body-armor”
begins to fall away. This can be
expressed in either deep cathartic
releases or very peaceful revelations.
Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, which
has its roots in the emotionally healing
environment of Kripalu yoga, is an effective
therapy for this process.
What is so wonderful about yoga is that
its benefits extend beyond the physical.
This can help someone with MS in several
ways. Understandably, people with
MS often have to deal with feelings of
anxiety, depression and/or frustration.
The ability to do the most basic things
are uncertain and often unpredictable.
By practicing pranayama, yogic breathing
techniques, the student will gain skill
in relaxation and mental focus, so that
he or she can take each moment as it
comes with a feeling of empowerment.
The underlying goal and philosophy of
yoga is that while our bodies are impermanent
and imperfect, our True Selves
are not. Yoga teaches us how to connect
with our True Selves, which are a
reflection of the Divine. Yoga helps us to
open a channel, to clear a frequency, to
become still and listen for the “still, small
voice” that speaks to our hearts and
gives us hope.
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| MS Connection. |
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