Yoga & PMR

[Snibby]

I have heard that yoga benefits PMR but as I am waiting for 2 hip replacements I can’t get down on the floor. However last week I went to chair yoga which I found beneficial. I think it is the breathing and stretches that made my body feel more fluid - I find the pool which I loved makes my stiffness and pain worse. So I am so pleased that I have found something after 7 months of diagnosis that actually helps

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I couldn’t continue to do Yoga due to knees/hips - post GCA - but do find Pilates good - not done on floor, so you need to go to a studio where they have a reformer (bench).

But chair Yoga sounds good! Well done.

[fmkkm in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi DL,

I’m 4 years in with GCA and my hips and knees are acting up as well. Is it just normal aging do you think?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to fmkkm]

Could be.

I wouldn’t blame the GCA itself - my knees/hips are osteoarthritis which I had long before GCA. Obviously during the high doses of Pred the OA pain was masked, but as I got lower it returned, and the OA has deteriorated during the time elapsed.

Have you had them x-rayed to check?

[fmkkm in reply to DorsetLady]

That’s my next step. I have a Dr. appt the end of the month. I was about to start Yoga too and I’m not sure it’s going to work if my joints continue to hurt. Thanks for the reply. fm

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to fmkkm]

That’s why Pilates done on a relaxer is okay - you can move the joints without the added pressure of standing.

I did Yoga for years before GCA - but there’s no way I could go back to doing the standing poses with my arthritic knees/hips - when I first went to Pilates (still with GCA) I did it on floor initially, but as my right knee got worse, instructor suggested relaxer. Still do some standing exercises but not as many as in Yoga, and you’re not getting up from flood each time, so it is easier in that respect.

[fmkkm]

Hi Snibby,

Thanks for that recommendation. I am about to start yoga, may try gentle yoga first to see if my joints can do it.

[tangocharlie]

There is an armchair yoga session near me, specifically designed for people with restricted mobility. It's gentle and fun. Worth looking in local village halls to see if there is anything going on in your area. One session is in a GP surgery so they might also have details.