is yoga ok?

[Sodalover]

I’ve very recently been diagnosed with glaucoma after losing sight in the top half of my right eye, which has been a real shock. I’ve been going to Yoga and Pilates classes for a number of years, both of which I feel have helped with a back issue and have kept me fit and very active at 67, I’m loath to give up big have read that I shouldn’t be doing yoga with glaucoma. I’m not due to see the doctor again for another 3 months, is there anyone on this forum who does yoga or Pilates? I’d appreciate any advice/ views you may have. Thanks

[Cornwalleyes]

Hi I’m sure others will comment, but my consultant said most things in yoga and Pilates are fine. The thing that you shouldn’t be doing is putting your eyes/head below the level of your heart, as that can increase the pressure in your eyes. So downward dog and anything similar where your head is below heart level are a definite no. Everything else should be fine. check with your own consultant when you do see them as everyone is different .

[Magnatawan in reply to Cornwalleyes]

Hi, I do both yoga and Pilates and like Cornwalleyes, just don’t do anything that puts my head below my heart e.g. downward dog etc. I just invent my own poses for those bits!

[Gayjoy55]

Hello, I love the yoga and Pilates, I have spoken to my yoga teachers and when we do sun salutations, instead of dropping down and coming back up , I do a table top, I go into child pose for downward dog , I go at my own pace too. I feel like yoga keeps our eye pressures down !

[GardeningDorset123]

I asked my specialist..he said keep going very important..may raise pressure temporarily..but won't affect my sight. I have decided not to do head down dog

[Ticketybo]

I have gone to yoga and Pilates classes for years and have like the other respondents adapted poses to avoid head below heart, or inverted postures where legs are above the head. The teachers have suggested adaptations and if I don’t feel comfortable about doing anything I opt out.

[Al65]

Good morning, I was diagnosed with glaucoma in 2021. I still continue to do Pilates and yoga. You need to advise the instructor that you have glaucoma and they should give you alternative moves. You must not do any inversions where the eyes are lower than the heart ie down dog. When you have your next appointment you can check with your consultant but I was only advised not to do down dog and if I feel the move that is instructed is wrong for me I do an alternative. Ie child's pose I support my head on my hands on all 4's not as relaxing but does stretch the back. You will get used to the alternatives that are provided and still get a work out.

[ChristinaGL]

Like you I have been doing yoga for over 20 years and really don't want to give it up, as it keeps me well and prevents back issues. So I am working it out... I do iyengar yoga so I use props and these are really helpful. So in child pose I now rest my head on 2 blocks instead of on the floor. And I use a chair etc for downward dog so I can be more up-right. I am thinking I prob should not do shoulder stand which is one of my favourites, but the instructors are great at coming up with alternatives which have similar benefits.