Hi all,
I went to my first Yoga class today. It is 1:30 until 3:00 and seems just the right thing to combine gentle exercise and weight loss. the time is perfect as I would be 'snacking' at the hour. Maybe this time I'll actually take the fat off and keep it off?? Has anyone take a YOGA class before? Lynda
Lynda,
Please keep us posted on how this goes for you. I have thought about doing this but haven't been able to take it on because of work. Seems like it would help in many ways.
Laker
I've taken a few yoga classes and I love the concept, however had difficulty sticking with it. If you can get yourself in the right frame of mind and stick with it, it can do wonders for you! Maybe you'll be my inspiration! Let us know how it goes! Was your first night hard?I ordered some Yoga videos from ETV. I really do like them. I actually fell asleep during one of them when I was practicing the deep-breathing exercises while lying on my back. For me it is a great stress reliever and really does give your muscles a workout. I wish I could get into half of the positions the way the instructor does. She is in her 60's and looks to be in her 40's.I practice Yoga at home...about an hour every day. I have a mat, light a candle, and put on some soft "mood" music. It really helps alleviate stress and even reduces the pain level. It's a great way to keep the muscles around the joints in good shape so they don't become damaged as easily. It also helps with fatigue...gives me a real energy boost.
Alan
I tried Yoga once but couldn't get myself into the positions on the video. Does anyone know of any "modified" yoga videos for those with RA?I use a book "Kripalu Yoga". It has a lot of pictures showing a broad range of yoga positions. Usually it's best to work yourself slowly into a new position...only go as far as you can comfortably go and push it a little more each time you try it...don't try to go all the way the first time!
Alan
Last week my dr. told me he wanted me to start Pilates classes. Is there a benefit of one over the other? (Yoga vs.Pilates.)I have a book but am un-motivated, so I think classes are the best for me. Has anyone tried both?Hi, It was so gentle, and very relaxing. We had some intro to yoga information from a delightful young woman (about 25, I think) who spoke softly and tried to explain the mind/body connect. She taught us the breathing/movement connection with breathing in, moving then breathing out. Several gentle movements that felt so good for my back and neck.....we were sitting on chairs for some of the session and then on the floor on mats, (she said to bring towels next time to put under or necks, and legs)for some ,you could do either /or. I felt good when I finished and plan to go Wednesday. It is 9 weeks, Mon/Wed, from 1:30 until 3 (she said she wants us to take off our watches when we come in? I guess to forget about 'time'. She encouraged us to sit up straight with our spine. I need some gentle movement that doesn't pull anything and cause me pain. She turns off the lights in the room to encourage calmness, it may help my poor body get some movement, the timing is good so I don't eat, and my mind needs relaxation. Perfect or what?? Thanks for being interested. loveya, LyndaI do pilates and love it. It's an hour long class and is really gentle on the joints. I have some difficulty with some of the floor stuff because it invloves supprting the body on the elbows, and mine are rubbish! But otherwise it's great! It's so relaxing and helps my posture loads.
So I overdid it!!, I went to the 2nd Yoga class and tried one of her floor exercizes (sorta twisting you knees and legs to the right then the left. NOT a good idea, now my back feels like the early stages of siatiaca (sp?), I can't believe I did that!
I put aspercream on it this morning, but hate to take muscle relaxants (which work for me), because I just took the MTX yesterday....hate to mix too many of these pills together.
Live and learn , I guess. Lynda
i used to do yoga years ago before i had PA , but now i do tai chi for arthritis. i really love it . i think yoga would be too much to do now . we have a gentle exercise class here in town also . but as i run the pain management support group at the local hospital plus run courses for the arthritis foundation ( moving toward wellness ) i think i do enough at the moment .Yesterday I was just thinking about posting here about yoga and Pranayam. I started doing it 2 months back and I lost 10 pounds! I ordered DVD from this website http://swamiramdevyoga.tripod.com/
Yoga's origin is from India where I was born.When I was little I used to do yoga and pranayam in my school. So I rented vcd's here to start over again. but vcd's I got had modified yoga. Yoga has so many Asanas, you have to know which Asan to do as per your condition. Thats why I bought this Dvd. Pranayam is more important than yoga. It cleans your body from inside. Thsi dvd contains all the information about how to do it and which ones is good for which illness. I do pranayam 30 min. and Yoga 30 min a day. You are supposed to do it every day..But I manage to do it at least 3-4 times a week.
If anybody wantes information about which dvd to buy I'll let you know which one I got. They are using paypal for transaction so it's safe.
here is the site for chai chi for arthritis by Paul Lamb.
http://www.taichiproductions.com/index.php