I am trying yoga but my hands kill me afterwards I have modified the hard poses that use my hand. Any ideas?

[Terrpist]

[Hidden]

I went to yoga for a few months after being diagnosed, I really enjoyed it even though I was probably the worst in the class! I really just did what I felt I could and didn't force myself into awkward positions, even just enjoying the relaxation of it was worthwhile. Maybe try having a bath when you get home (depending on time of night I suppose) as I always find that eases my joints a bit.

I have recently just got wrist splints to limit hand movement when I'm sleeping, too early to tell if it is helping.

Keep at it but just don't put pressure on yourself to do everything x

[Terrpist in reply to Hidden]

Thanks wrist splints help me

[Hidden]

I do Tai Chi every Wednesday and a few yoga moves on the Nintendo Wii - I don't find any of this leaves parts of me in pain now that I'm used to it and so are my joints but I do feel totally wiped out with exhaustion afterwards but then it may be because the class follows my weekly dose of MTX. You shouldn't do it if it kills your hands thought - tai chi or Pilates might suit you more because they puts less strain on individual joints and help build up strength in the synovial joints I believe whereas a lot of yoga moves rely on the upper body to carry the rest of us I found. TTx

[Terrpist in reply to Hidden]

Thanks good idea

[oldtimer]

I have been lucky enough to go to a yoga teacher who has done special courses in yoga for people with disabilities (including pregnancy!). I've had a few one-to-one sessions with her and she has worked out some practice programmes for me avoiding pressure on certain joints, so I now know what to avoid when.

Sometimes I can't do anything that puts pressure on the hands and wrists, other times it's other joints. Yoga styles vary too, this type I'm doing does lots of repetitions before holding the posture, rather than just going straight into the posture and holding.

Best to have a talk to the yoga instructor to find out what to avoid or modify. Or have a look at the Wheel of Yoga website to find suitable instructors. Yoga is a very good way of keeping flexible and helping control your emotional responses to your illness.

[Terrpist in reply to oldtimer]

Thanks I will all to her

[Vivante in reply to oldtimer]

Not all teachers are on the BWY website. There are many who have been trained by other bodies. They are equally able to provide info. It is not where a person was trained, it is about the knowledge regarding a person's medical condition that is important.

[Vivante in reply to oldtimer]

Avoid excessive repetitions. Everything you do during the day adds to the exercise.

[lynn-bel]

I tried yoga but stopped as I can't kneel down due to painful knees and cant lie down on the floor or get up again without help, so most of the exercises were a no no for me.

I do the Wii Fit yoga exercises as I stand up to do them and only do ones that I can do.

Tai Chi is very good, I did that a few times but havent found another class yet to go to, but try that if you have a class nearby.

Use splints if its just wrists that are affected, but bottom line, do what you can and what is comfortable. If it hurts afterwards for more than a day, I was told, don't do it again! Some pain is to be expected when we exercise but a happy medium is what we need to maintain.

Lynnx

[Terrpist in reply to lynn-bel]

Thanks

[Hidden]

I have a good relationship with my Yoga teacher. I tell her when I won't be able to do the wrist and hand things. Or whatever else is painful that day.

And she accepts that I sometimes do "my own thing" when some of the poses are too hard. As do the others in the class.

We have a mixed class of ages, both genders, a variety of health problems, etc.

Your teacher should be trained to modify poses, and to make allowances for each person.

Don't be embarrassed to speak up. Yoga has given me a lot more strength and the ability to totally relax when having nasty steroid injections!

[yum-mum]

hi I have problems with sore wrists too, i dont know if it will help but my physio has told me never to lay by had flat on the floor but to make a fist and use this instead.

[Vivante in reply to yum-mum]

Do NOT put pressure on the knuckles, it can damage them, try and find a teacher who can show you how to use the chair, or try the wall press. You don't have to get down on to the floor. There is much that can be done to gently stretch and strenthen your body without putting yourself at risk of harm.

[Terrpist]

I have tried making a fist thanks

[oldtimer]

My point was that, if you want to do yoga with your condition, then find a yoga teacher who can design practice routines that suit YOU, not anyone else. I have three types of routine,which I can also mix and match, and each has modifications to avoid pressure on particular joints.

For me, lots of small repetitions followed by a short hold works well - it may not for others, but the aim of yoga is to do it for your own body, not prescribe rigidly that this way or that will work.

Everyone's body responds differently to the disease and similarly what will work to help. That's why it is so important that we have a discussion with our therapists, whether yoga, or health professionals, or anyone else, about what is right for this particular person.