Life with Chronic Conditions: Yoga

Research shows there are considerable health benefits to yoga, particularly for those with chronic conditions. In spite of pictures you may have seen, yoga is not about twisting your body into a pretzel, but rather it’s a mind-body practice of physical poses, controlled breathing and meditation or relaxation.

Recently, I’ve been looking for practices for someone with Atrial Fibrillation, who found that moving too quickly could trigger their symptoms. There are lots of classes and styles so it can be confusing. Therefore it’s best to do some research before you just attend a class.

Before starting any exercise program, talk to your medical provider. Find out if there certain poses you should avoid and ask for recommendations for local classes, tapes and/or on-line videos. Note, new research from the Mayo Clinic suggests that Yoga postures that flex the spine beyond its limits may raise the risk of compression fractures in people with thinning bones. If you have high blood pressure, you may need to avoid yoga poses in which your head and heart are lower than the rest of your body, such as the Downward-Facing Dog posture. Again, your medical provider will know your condition and can provide the best advise about what is safe and what to avoid.

Consider the following:

• Look for a teacher that is experienced with chronic conditions. Checking for classes at your local hospital, health center of condition specific support group are good places to start. Many hospitals now offer complementary and alternative programs, which include yoga.

• Avoid “gym yoga.” These classes will have terms like “power” or “intense.” Instead look for terms like “restorative” and “gentle.” Types of yoga classes that are more appropriate include: yoga therapy; chair yoga; Hatha Yoga; Yin Yoga; Restorative Yoga; Yin Yoga; Yoga Nidra (sleep yoga); Lyengar.

• Hot yoga or Bikram form is not recommended for those with heart disease, problems with dehydration, heat intolerance, a history of heat related illnesses, such as heat stroke, and women who are pregnant. Women who experience hot flashes can find this type of class can be a trigger for more hot flashes.

• Watch yoga videos on-line or observe a class to get a sense of what will appeal to you.

• Notice how you feel during the class as well as afterward.

• Start slow.

Check out Yoga and Chronic Illness: Choose a Practice That Works for You. 

In researching yoga that would be appropriate, I came across the following restorative chair yoga for those with chronic pain that is taught by someone dealing with this issue.