Yesterday I returned to a yoga class after an absence of a year and a half. A frozen shoulder prevented me from attending the weekly class I love. I also missed Sheila, my gifted and compassionate instructor who arrived to class with a book of "Yoga for People with Multiple Sclerosis" and "Yoga For People Over 50" in hand. She didn't need the books, but having them endeared her to me even more.
Now that I'm back in the yoga saddle again, I thought I'd repost something I wrote in 2012. If you're looking for a way to sleep better, heal aches and pains, keep sickness at bay, improve flexibility, strengthen muscles, improve balance, help to prevent arthritis, keep your spinal discs supple, get your blood flowing, alleviate stress and worry, or lower blood sugar and LDL, yoga is perfect for you! Read on:
“The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in.” ~B.K.S. Iyengar, Yoga: The Path To Holistic Health
When I was first diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis I was 28 years old and in good physical shape. I worked in Manhattan and walked 16 blocks from the Port Authority Bus Terminal to my office – in rain, snow or sunshine.
At the time, I lived in Weehawken, New Jersey, a township located along the Hudson River overlooking Manhattan. Each day, after returning to my apartment, I'd slip into my workout clothes and pop my new Jane Fonda Workout video into my VCR (for those of you too young to know what a VCR is, it is a video cassette recorder).
The workout kept me in shape, feeling limber and balanced. But after my diagnosis, that all changed.
Yet life continued on. The following year I got married, and in 1992 we had a beautiful, healthy son. Working out during the day was not an option for me. When my son napped, I napped!
When he was entered middle school I decided to take a yoga class. I was beginning to feel like my body was one tight knot, and the pounds were slowly creeping up on me.
My yoga class was filled with other women who, like me, had young children in school and felt the need to learn the practice of yoga. It was an intermediate class (you know – handstands and all) but the yoga instructor, Sheila, assured me she could adapt the more difficult moves to my disability (by then my MS caused my right leg to be totally numb and weakened).
In the beginning, my version of the “Downward Dog” was standing parallel to the wall with my hands pressed against it, my feet a few feet behind me to feel the stretch in my calves and feet. My teacher had great patience with me, and weeks later I was able to do an authentic Downward Dog along with the rest of the class.
I began to feel more limber and balanced. But, somehow, life got busy and I stopped taking yoga. Months turned into years without any yoga classes. I went to a few Restorative Yoga classes at a different yoga studio now and then, but the class never felt as comfortable or rewarding.
Now that I am in my fifties, my muscles feel tight and achy all of the time. Getting out of bed in the morning is a daily treat because my legs won’t always work the way I want them to.
I finally – finally – thought to myself that enough is enough. I thought that If I feel like this now how will I feel in ten, twenty or thirty years? It was time to take care of my body again.
It was time to get back to yoga.
A few weeks ago I signed up for a Gentle Yoga class taught by another lovely woman, Claire, whose class I’d taken a few years ago at my local library. I nervously walked into the studio with my yoga mat and blanket and chose my place on the floor. I began my warm-up, and felt good about what I was doing.
After Claire began class we heard three yoga chimes slowly ring in the air until their sound faded. We were ready to begin. I followed instructions for each pose, paying attention to my breath and meditating with each pose. I stretched every part of my body and balanced myself through deeper breathing.
I felt spiritually renewed.
As we age we need to keep our bodies and our minds toned, limber and active. We need to consider the quality of life we want to try to have as we grow older.
Everyone reading this post has their own set of family genes or health issues to contend with, so we all need to think about what we can do right now to live a better quality of life.
You can consider intermediate, gentle or restorative yoga as I did, or perhaps you’d prefer t’ai chi, or another complementary therapy. I recommend taking a complimentary class to try it out, and always speak to the instructor about any special requirements. Please consult with your doctor before taking any class.
Remember, you are taking an important step in taking better care of yourself. This is a gift you are giving to yourself – the gift of good health. Namaste.
Namaste Cathy! Yoga is a gift we give ourselves.
After years of running and having foot surgery I hung up my running shoes and was looking for an alternative. I decided to try Yoga. You are spot on when you suggest finding the right studio as well as instructors. I started with a once a week beginner class in January. Once I completed it, I started going twice a week. That has made a tremendous difference physically as well as mentally. I find meditation and breathing the most difficult areas for me. Quieting the mind chatter is extremely difficult but truly decreases my stress level. Good health
Cathy, every word of your article is a diamond. I've been symptom-free of MS since 1990 due primarily to alternative health techniques. Recently, however, a little numbness has crept into 3 toes on my left foot and a little stiffness visits my left leg. So, I got myself to a yoga class. I found the perfect instructor in Malibu, Julie Carmen. She reads my body's movement and directs the yoga accordingly. My balance is improving and my spirit knows that this, too, will pass and I will be symptom-free again soon. Listening to my body and giving it what it needs is one of my 8 BLOCKBUSTERS FOR MASTERING MS. Yoga is a wonderful way to have a helpful conversation with your body. To aid in that conversation, I invite you to my free webinar, 8 BLOCKBUSTERS FOR MASTERING MS, http://www.blockedtoblockbuster.com/mswebinar
I love this article not only because of the physical well being yoga has brought you but the inner peace. We can all use a little more "inner peace". I agree with the post above that you are destined to be a well-known (and well-loved) "blogger".
Yoga helps me manage the progressions......age and ms!! 🙂 mb
I need to try out yoga. Those who do it seem peaceful and centered (maybe even flexible) in ways I've just not mastered. Thank you for the inspiration.
Yoga can be practiced at any age, with any condition. There is chair yoga, seated yoga, as well as power yoga and gentle yoga. Yoga is more about the breath than the asanas (poses). I'm so happy you are back to yoga. Namaste!
good for you. i've always wanted to be a yoga girl but so far i don't have the patience! working on it!
Thanks for sharing your inspiring story, Cathy. Here's to many many more empowering and enlightening experiences!
Thanks for the reminder to get back to it. I've taken yoga classes on and off through the years. I always feel so great when I'm done. I'm not sure why I ever stop.
Totally agree. When I practice yoga regularly I really feel the difference. Glad you are able to get back to it now and I hope your shoulder is completely better!
I hate to admit I've never tried yoga. You've got me motivated to give it a try Cathy!
A girlfriend is doing a yoga class specifically for those undergoing cancer treatment and it's made a HUGE difference.
Cathy, so glad to hear you are practicing yoga again. It is so great for mind, body and spirit. I love my yoga practice and try to do it daily. Also have been participating in the Oprah and Chopra 21 Day Meditation - although I missed a few days. Namaste!
Congratulations Cathy! Glad you finally made it back!
Glad your shoulder's better and you're able to get back to something you enjoy so much. I have tried to get into yoga -- Michael swears by it and goes almost every single day -- but I just don't have the patience for it. Oh, maybe that's why I really do need to do it -- to gain that patience!
As a certified yoga teacher, I hear all the time people say they have tried yoga and did not like it. I always tell them there is a yoga out there that is right for them, they just have to keep looking. Thanks for sharing Cathy!
I can relate, although I have not taken very many yoga classes, I got an injury in running and had to stop for about 9 months! it was rough but finally being able to get back to the sport I love was amazing and having a new perspective come from having time off, your really learn to take things slow and listen to your body.
-Tara
As you saw on my post, I am trying to make yoga a regular practice now. It is so good for both the body and soul.
And BTW, I used to live in Englewood and know that Weekawken line so very well!
This is how I feel about Pilates. It's keeping this aging body out of physical therapy and I just feel better in general.
Namaste.
Yoga has so many positives and can fill the void when running isn't an option any more. Flexibility is very underrated and yoga is probably the best thing I've found that helps with it. And don't focus on what your body will feel like in 10 years; just deal with the present! Best of luck to you.....