HS & Yoga

[ASilva]

Is it ok to practice yoga?

[DorothyItaly]

I have never done yoga but I practice and teach tai chi (I learnt to teach it because I found such a lot of benefit from it). However, I have to pace myself and not get carried away, and be very careful if I am tired. I have to accept that sometimes I just can't do it and not get stressed about it. I did check with my specialist what was okay and what wasn't before I started originally which I think is a good idea.

[top_hole in reply to DorothyItaly]

Hello Dorothy, I found your piece about tai chi very interesting. I,d love to try it, but no nothing about it. I don,t know how old you are, but I am 69. My balance (walking) is not too good , but I refuse to use a stick. this week I bought an old bike (small wheels) , but I,ve managed to fall off it and bang my head, and hurt my wrist, I was only practicing in our driveway! But maybe tai chi would be better. I,ve had minnie strokes, and an irregular heart. but Ijust do my best to ignore it, when I can. Top__hole.

[GinaD in reply to top_hole]

I do not own, but have often seen, 3 wheel, low riding bicycles, which seem to be quite popular with elderly cyclists. Have you seen these? They may be a way to bike without falls.

Gina

[Hidden]

All forms of non contact exercises are allowed and encouraged. Obviously within the physical limits.

[Coppergirl]

I've actually done yoga on and off for several years (depending on how bad my PTS is) and i've found it's one of the very few forms of exercise I can do. Just take it at your own pace and don't push too much and it can be a great way to gentle stretch your muscles, get a bit of exercise and also a good night's sleep! I've heard pilates is also an option, i've got a DVD but haven't been well enough to try it yet. Good luck!

[APSmum]

I find Pilates is great. Only go once a week which is all I can seem to manage. Great for stress and helped rehab/strengthen after TIAs and improve balance which was effected. Yoga and Tai Chi sound like good options also.

[Bebe]

I was diagnosed with APS last year. I asked the hospital consultant if I could continue doing hatha yoga, which I love, but she said I should take it easy and recommended tai chi which would be good for my balance problems. I'm hoping to start a class soon.

If your doctor says you can go ahead and do yoga find a really good and caring teacher who'll ask about any medical conditions you have and he/she will be able to adapt many of the poses to enable you to enjoy and benefit from it.

Good luck!

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi there have done the odd bit of yoga. and it has certainly along with other things taught me breathing exercises which I feel is good for most conditions.. however these days I just try and do any daily exercise I can, when not too ill. I feel chronically fatigued all the time anyhow and doing the exercise does make me sleep better, handle and dismiss stress and also make me more able to find some strength physically during flares of my five things! Good on you. Mary F x