This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Has anyone here tried yoga?
I'm thinking the stretching and exercise would be good but not sure how much I would actually be able to do. Considering:
-no balance
-forget standing on 1 foot
-forget standing, except for short duration
-very weak legs (& hand, & arms, etc)

You know, all the usual stuff.

Can a yoga studio (?) create modified exercise plans.
If you have any experiences I'd be interested to hear about it.

Thanks,

There are yoga classes designed for people with various issues including ms. I would highly recommend it. Also there are books on the subject. Hope you can find something that will meet your needs.

Ellen

GO FOR IT !!
I love yoga.
I also cannot stand on one foot, no balancing with eyes closed, and very wobbly altogether some days!

I found an MS-yoga class locally and it was terrific, you didn't have to be concerned about achieving perfection. Another woman in the class was a fulltime wheelchair user, and another had very bad balance, but the teacher modified each move so that they could participate fully.

I went to a normal able-bodied class about 4 years ago and I hated it, the teacher kept urging me to stop holding onto the wall and I didn't want to share my MS with a class of body-beautifuls.

If you find an easy-going class who can adapt moves for altered or limited mobility from whatever cause, you'll really enjoy it. We have a real laugh in the MS-yoga and my sleep improved, my balance, stamina and strength all improved a bit.
Good luck!

Thanks, I never even thought about looking for a book specifically for yoga and MS. And now I think I will try the local yoga places and see what they offer.

This is my first post so I hope I am doing it right.
Howard Kent (from memory) used to do Yoga for people with MS. Google it.
I do yoga every day at home in winter (once a week in summer when I rely on swimming) and find it excellent for MS. I can't stand (on one leg or two) but I have developed a series of about 20 different yoga poses that I can do lying down. It really helps.

Try searching on the Internet for therapeutic yoga in your area. Also, I take Copaxone and they sent me a FREE video tape of a yoga class; some people in the video are more able to move and are on the floor and others are in a chair. The video is designed for people with MS.

Someone just recommended Eric Small's dvd/book from another thread, was it Mrhodes?

I feel lucky that I had done yoga on and off for seventeen or so years. Now, I can do whatever poses still work for me at home -- mostly sitting poses and some standing. And, they do help! Like others mentioned, maybe a video or book for MS yoga would be helpful? Although yoga purists might disagree, I think a regimen of MS stretching is similar and as helpful.

About modified yoga classes, my experience has been mixed. I liked a gentle/restorative class that I used to go to although it was quite challenging for me. Not sure that I could do it now. I also used to go to a therapy yoga class which was advertised for folks with chronic low back issues and RA, MS. I was the most impacted person in the class and the assistant hovered over me at every move -- made me feel bad about myself -- I actually could do more than they thought. And, the instructor came from the "you can heal yourself" genre of practitioner that I now know to watch out for!

Good luck in finding a resource for yoga or stretching that helps your specific situation.

Best, Donna

Hi all. I have been doing restorative yoga for a few years now. Has been very helpful. I cannot stand on one foot, fall over when eyes shut, etc. Instructor is trained to help people with mobility and balance problems and has a very small class, up to 6. The breathing has been very helpful and use it every day. Unfortunately I do not do much yoga when classes are not going. Looking forward to starting again next Friday Look for an instructor who has training for people with disabilities. If one does not work try another, need to find someone you can work with and be comfortable. Linda

Yes...For three months i did it and saw the amazing result.I did PRANAYAMA ( The breathing exercise)along with the yogasana.And the result was more energy,more flexibility more confidence.Foe MS patients it needs to be done for a longer period of time (say One year +).
Regards,
Bibek.

Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis - http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Multiple-Scl ... 1932603174 - is just the book. I began to pracitce yoga following my diagnosis almost 6 years ago. Skiing, pilates, even distance walking was no longer comfortable or possible. I do 90 minute power yoga in a heated room even though otherwise heat really bothers me. I was encouraged by an instructor who had a friend with MS who was practicing - at the time Shape magazine was about to publish an article on her friend. It's like I escape my MS through my yoga. I respect my physical limits, don't compare myself to anyone else and show up every time with gratitude. I hope it works for you too!

Katie

Hey Katie...that is just the book I have! I've done gentle yoga classes for a couple of years now. Its great for mind and body. I used to run, play tennis, and do aerobics. Wish I still could but yoga is what I do now.

Ellen