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News Releases
Myth Buster: Yoga and Arthritis
For those with limited flexibility from arthritis, yoga may be the last form of exercise you would consider. But don't let your misperceptions fool you. Even if you have arthritis, yoga can be a great way to not only improve your fitness, but also the way you feel.
"Yoga can be a good activity for people with arthritis because it is no impact," says Ann Mangelsdorf, regional program officer, Arthritis Foundation - eastern Missouri chapter. "Yoga allows participants to move at their own pace and uses gentle stretches and holds which encourages breathing, strength-building and can increase range-of-motion."
Many myths surround the practice of yoga - but here are the facts.
Myth #1 - Yoga is a type of religion.
Yoga is actually an ancient practice using a combination of postures and breath controls, which aim to achieve the perfect balance of body, mind and spirit. These movements help improve circulation, reduce anxiety, and stretch tightened muscles to develop strength, balance, and range-of-motion.
Myth #2 - Yoga is only for fit, flexible people.
There are some yoga postures that are difficult to perform, and require an agile body. However, most yoga postures are adaptable. Postures should be selected based on your fitness level and abilities. Props can also be used to assist you in various postures. Blankets, pillows or foam blocks will allow you to get benefits of a pose without straining your body or joints.
Myth #3 - Yoga is painful for people with arthritis.
Yoga postures should not be painful to perform. If it is, you're probably doing something wrong. There are many different types of yoga - all based on different fitness levels and abilities. For beginners, it is probably best to consider Gentle yoga which increases flexibility, strength, and stamina. Yoga will allow you to gain greater joint mobility, relief from pain and reduction in inflammation. Consult your physician before practicing yoga and choose postures that are right for you and your abilities.
"The slow pace of the movements is essential to the effectiveness of yoga," says Jackie Schneider, Wellness Coach and yoga instructor at The Health Connection at the University of Missouri-Columbia. "Do not tense any muscles that are not essential to maintaining the postures; relax all the others. Between two postures, rest for a few seconds, relaxing the greatest possible number of muscles, including those of the face."
If you have arthritis, exercise is one of the best ways to keep your strength, balance and mobility. Yoga is a very beneficial exercise (both mentally and physically) - it might just be the right exercise for you. For more information on yoga and arthritis, visit www.arthritis.org or www.hopkins-arthritis.org.
The Missouri Arthritis Research Rehabilitation and Training Center (MARRTC) was established in 1971 at the University of Missouri-Columbia Arthritis Center. MARRTC is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (H133B031120) and is the only federally funded arthritis rehabilitation research and training center in the country.
As part of the MU Health Communication Research Center (HCRC), MARRTC's mission is to become a national leader in the areas of disability management and communication, improve the quality of life and promote independent living among people who have arthritis and arthritic conditions. MARRTC's core message is "Disability is everyone's issue."
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