With physical challenges that often accompany MS, such as fatigue and mobility limitations, many MS patients face an upward battle in finding a manageable exercise routine. One alternative that may often get overlooked is yoga – an ancient body/mind practice that originated in India. One definition of yoga is “a combination of breathing exercises, physical postures, and meditation that has been practiced for more than 5,000 years.”
According to Dr. Dennie Dorall of Lakewood, CO, yoga is an essential wellness component for people with MS. Through the movement and breathing exercises, Dr. Dorall, who has taught yoga to MS patients for more than 10 years, has seen extraordinary improvements.
“It’s incredible to be the instructor and to see the changes,” she said. “Of all the groups that need yoga, people with autoimmune (diseases) are going to benefit the most.”
Although not all improvement may be as visible, Dr. Dorall insists that yoga helps in small, but monumental ways, and can benefit people of all disability levels. The importance of the breathing component, she said, is key. As mentioned in the most recent edition of InforMS, by slowing the breath down – which is emphasized in yoga – the body positively reacts because the pH level in the blood is increased and stabilized. Additionally, said Dr. Dorall, the breath calms the brain down and controls the neuron receptors, which improves the chances that nerve connections will be made.
Calming the brain also helps to quell the little, worried voices in our heads – the thoughts that are cycling – which then helps us to relax our muscles as well. The benefits, therefore, are both emotional and physical.
“It stops the (thought) cycle loops” and “helps to re-pattern physical behavior,” Dr. Dorall said. “It’s not fast…but significant.”
Dr. Dorall stressed that she is not encouraging MS patients to substitute their medication or other treatment options with yoga. Rather, she emphasized the fact that yoga really seems to compliment students’ improvement.
Additional Resources:
YOGA for MS: Pathways Exercise Video for People with Limited Mobility
This yoga-based exercise program is suitable for people with full or limited mobility. (But you must be able to get up and down from the floor to a chair.) It includes breathing and relaxation techniques. 48 minutes. http://www.mobilityltd.com/pathways.htm
Shelley’s soft and gentle approach to “chair” yoga is both therapeutic and rehabilitative. This video is specifically designed to help those who are physically challenged due to illness, an accident or who are recovering from surgery. To order: Yogability and You