Does anyone with MS do Yoga ?

Everyday living
1

Hi. Am thinking of doing yoga to see if it can help improve/keep my mobility, was just wondering if yoga has helped anyone with MS and what benefits have you had from it ? Thanks in advance. Stephen.

2

Hello Stephen,

I used to practise yoga when I was first diagnosed, but now years on, I find that it seems to cause more irritation than anything. I seem to do more Pilates than anything now, which I find very good because it increases suppleness and it even helps me loose weight - never a bad thing! Pilates is also recommended for MS as it is low tension. All exercise does us good though.

Best of luck,

Moira

3

[quote=“Rabbit Fan”]

Hello Stephen,

I used to practise yoga when I was first diagnosed, but now years on, I find that it seems to cause more irritation than anything. I seem to do more Pilates than anything now, which I find very good because it increases suppleness and it even helps me loose weight - never a bad thing! Pilates is also recommended for MS as it is low tension. All exercise does us good though.

Best of luck,

Moira

[/quote] Thanks Moria I will start of with Yoga see how it goes and keep in mind what you said. Stephen.

4

Yes, l do yoga - but l have been doing it for many years prior to ms. Pilates is also good. So is exercising with a ‘fit ball’. MSSociety have a free DVD of exercise

suitable for us with MS. lts by Sally Gunnell. Tai Chi is another gentle exercise - good for balance and keeping supple. lf you can’t get to a class - there are lots of good DVD’s that you can follow at home.

F.

5

I do Pilates, i went to see a neuro physio who said its the best thing for MS, it helps me so much,i feel stronger when i have done the excercise she gave me.

jaki xx

6

I love yoga and have done it for 10 years but I haven’t since my diagnosis cause my problem is pain in my feet and I don’t fancy standing up in the class for an hour. I do pilates instead which is floor based, I love it (a great teacher helps).

7

Thanks for the replies all noted. Stephen.

8

I have started doing the yoga exercises on the Wii fit plus and have already seen some results.

Allie xxx

9

Hi Stephen.

Yes I do yoga Its not the standing on one leg kind of yoga it yoga my local MS branch runs it for people with MS its all done sitting or lying down I do it twice a week on a Tuesday and a Friday Its great very relaxing and your working out strenghing muscle and toning up really helps my balance and core muscles and keeps me active and its a chance for me to meet and talk to other people with MS we all sit and have a cuppa and a good chat when its over.

It helps all kinds we have people in wheelchairs and everything they all say they get great good from it people how have MS 20+ years wish they’d been something like it when they where diagnosed they said they where more or less told to go home and rest and dont excercise but now they say they wish they had of tried to do some kind of exercise that It really helps.

There only 3 men go to it there’s at least 9 women I wish more man would even try it.

Mark

10

Hi, I do yoga every day and find it helps enormously with my symptoms and maybe even more so my state of mind. I can’t do classes at the moment as too much for me, but I do 10 mins floor based yoga every mOrning and then try and do my floor based DVD every week. Def worth a try! Laura xx

11

What is your "local MS Branch’? How did you find out about this class?

Thanks Kate

12

Hi Kate,

I’m from Northern Ireland my local branch is the Foyle branch in Derry they run group physio and yoga twice a week.

I was in hospital with my first relapse and I meet Terry the man who runs the foyle branch.

At first I was scared to go I was only diagnosed and I was scared to meet other people with ms I thought ms was a live sentance and didn’t want to see how I 'd end up but how wrong was I a nicer bunch of people I couldn’t have hoped to meet I made lots of friends.

The yoga’s great if you got in touch with your local MS branch maybe they run something along the same lines

Mark x

13

Hi Kate,

I’m from Northern Ireland my local branch is the Foyle branch based in Derry they run physio and yoga groups in 3 local towns I guess I’m lucky if I wanted to I could go to a class everyday cause I live between all the towns I do physio on a Monday and Thursday and yoga on a Tuesday and Friday.

I herd about my local MS branch when I was in hospital just after I was diagnosed from Terry the man thats over the Foyle MS branch, he said I was welcome to come along to any of the groups I was scared at first It was because I thought MS was a death sentance and I was scared of seeing how I would end up but I couldn’t have been more wrong I meet a lovely bunch of people from all walks of life with different kinds of MS that I’m proud to have as friends and they all do yoga and whatever exercise they gan manage it really helps and yoga helps with the mind it helps keep stress under control and helps you relax.

Mark xx

14

Hi. Thank you for all the replies very encouraging, I shall contact my local MS branch and see if they run any classes as well. Cheers. Stephen.

15

I have been doing yoga for years and have found it has really helped some of my MS symptoms. If you have a look at the ‘British wheel of yoga’ website, you can get a list of local yoga teachers. Some classes may be more suitable for you than others. I go to a weekly class where the teacher adapts the poses for the ability of students. Some of the group have back backs, knees etc. My balance is rubbish, but if I can’t do a posture then the teacher always has an alternative. I also use a gym ball, chair or door frame for support when I need to. Yoga is all about working within your ability, it isn’t supposed to be competitive. Some of the group I go to appear to be made of rubber, but it really doesn’t matter if I can only do 50% or even 10% of what they do.

16

Hello, I have been doing yoga for 6 or 7 years, ever since being told my MS had gone to SP. I found, pretty much by chance, an advert for a local yoga class in our Church/villages magazine, got in touch, went along and have been doing so ever since. The yoga teacher (mid 60s) actually has MS herself and she takes a mixed ability, mixed age class, always stressing that we must not compare ourselves with others, do what is good for our bodies and not pushing beyond what feels right etc etc. It is good for me emotionally too, gives me a feeling of having some power over my own health and healing. I always feel I walk straighter and feel more balanced after the class.

I enjoy it and know I would benefit from practising every day.

Gill