Yoga and glaucoma

[Gayjoy55]

Is anybody with glaucoma doing yoga or Pilates classes and do you have any tips. I also have sinus and ear problems so that causes pressure in my head too!! I have only recently been diagnosed with glaucoma so it’s all new.

[Stairs10]

Hi Gayjoy55

Let your teacher know that you have glaucoma so they can tell you which poses to avoid or they can suggest adaptations.

I think the main advice is to avoid head stands and some of the other positions where your head is downwards below your heart. There's some info on the glaucoma association website also I think.

All the best

[Cornwalleyes]

Hi, I do Pilates, you just need to avoid any excercises where your head is below your heart - especially if you need to hold a position. So things like downward dog in yoga are a no if you have to hold that position. Any properly trained instructor should know about glaucoma and will also be able to advise you. Don’t let glaucoma stop you doing the things you love, just adjust the way you do them. 😊

[GardeningDorset123]

I do yoga but no head down.. and use a pillow when I lie down .. it's only what I've read ..my consultant laughed when I asked!

[Crafted]

I have glaucoma and do qi gong with 'tapping' to improve circulation and energy. It's really gentle. Same applies though as with other exercises - don't attempt any with head below heart and don't hold your breath. I have sinus issues and am deaf in one ear too. With qi gong you can target and work on specific areas of the body or choose a routine for the whole of the body. I think it's about finding a type of exercise that works for your body and you actually like to do most days. I benefit from regular, gentle 15 min walks too.

[salla22]

I do taichi and qoijong, pilates with a cushion under my head. Would like to do weights, only have 1 1/2 kg dumbells but can i use them? Is it good to do stretching in all directions with your arms?

[Gyfers]

Hi Gayjoy - I was glad to see your question - I've just been diagnosed and this was the big disapointment for me. I used to run a lot, but have long covid and haven't been able to run for 2 years... so I took up yoga instead and really enjoyed it. Now I read in the booklet I picked up at the eye hospital that I can't do inverted poses in yoga with glaucoma (though my consultant didn't mention that). It's possible to adapt, but it just feels like another blow and another knock to my physical confidence.

Anyway. More usefully - I used to love doing Yoga With Adriene, but SO much of her routines relies on things like downward dog and forward fold to transition from one pose to another - in guess in theory you could try and adapt them but it would leave you with very little of the original routine! But if you search on youtube for 'yoga no inversions', there are several routines on there. I tried one for the first time last night and it was not bad - I do miss the lovely back stretch you get from the forward fold, but I did still feel like I had a reasonable stretch. I've been doing child pose on a bolster with a cushion on top to keep my head up, which is not quite as good but better than nothing.

[praying4cure]

Yoga asanas with the head below the heart raise IOP. Pilates moves that cause you to strain to the point of tightening your throat do the same. Lifting weights over your head or to the point of tightening your throat will raise eye pressure, as well. These were all part of my regular exercise routines for years until my glaucoma was diagnosed and I discovered that I'd developed substantial visual deficit losses. Aerobic workouts that raise the heart rate and get the blood circulating are the most beneficial for glaucoma patients.