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Yoga and Arthritis

I think because we have moved away from nature, we have found ourselves surrounded by stress and unhealthy lifestyles. It is essential to lead a stress free life for good health. Yoga, I feel is the best way to learn how to relax the body and mind. If you know how to relax you will learn how to cope with life.

Yoga is also an excellent way to get relief from pain, relax stiff muscles, and ease sore joints. Yoga with its controlled movements, pressures, stretches, and deep breathing relaxation, can also provide needed range of motion exercise. Employ utmost caution when disease activity is flaring and avoid excess torque on the joints.

At the end of your classes, when we take a final rest, I feel the entire day and all the stress it's caused melt away. Nowadays I am able to sleep better, my attitude has improved - and I can not only touch my toes, but I can put my palms on the floor without bending my knees. My doctor was absolutely correct - the more I do, the more I know I can do. The slow, controlled physical movement of joints is helps us arthritis patients. It improves blood circulation in joints, removing unwanted toxins and other waste products. This is what I was taught at my Yoga class 10 years ago and this is what I have to share with you.

Asanas for Arthritis

Yoga certainly helps in Arthritis and this has been proved down he years. Simple asanas and regular movements help increase circulation in the joints and limbs. Various Asanas like Basic Movement, Tadagasana, Pavanamuktasana, Makarasana, Swastikasana, Janusirshasana, Paschimottanasana, Ekpadsahajhasta Bhujangasana, Bhujangasana, Veerasana, Trikonasana, Vrikshasana are helpful. Slow, balanced and controlled movements are particularly recommended. However, it is not wise to maintain the asanas for long.

Pranayama for Arthritis

Simple Pranayama is recommended, which involved deep breathing, special type of Pranayama with kapalabhatti and alternate nostril breathing. Also breathing exercise creating a sound of Hmm.. (Honey bee Sound) made from the base of the throat is found to be very effective in Arthritis patients. I think it is called Ujjayi, but check it out. I found all these very helpful.

Heat Treatment and Massage for Arthritis

A light massage of medicated Ayurveda Herbal oil is very effective, especially after application of heat (moderate and bearable with heat bags). Massage makes the joint movements easier and then patients can perform physical movements, so if massage is followed by Asanas, it has been found to be more fruitful.

Nature Cure for Arthritis

• Steam bath
• Basti (Enema) with water. This treatment is also recommended in Ayurveda
• In the morning drink warm water + fresh lime on empty stomach
• Sun bath for anywhere between 15 to 20 minutes

Our ancients say, and it has now proven that, those who suffer from knee arthritis benefit from walking barefoot whenever possible.

Why don't you give these practices a try? They might really help you in dealing with Arthritis. Just make a note that not all poses should be practiced by people with Arthritis. It may depend on your health and ability to do certain poses. It would be better to consult an experienced Yoga instructor first.

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