Yoga for Arthritis Video: Hip Arthritis

An estimated 50 million adults in the United States reported being told by a doctor that they have some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia. One in five (22%) adults in the United States report having doctor diagnosed arthritis. In 2007–2009, 50% of adults 65 years or older reported an arthritis diagnosis. By 2030, an estimated 67 million Americans ages 18 years or older are projected to have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. (Source: http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/arthritis_related_stats.htm)

These are some serious numbers! When I asked our Namaste Yogi’s what the biggest problem they faced in their life that yoga could help them with, many of them responded, arthritis.

The number one piece of advice that The Arthritis Society (http://www.arthritis.ca/)  gives to those with arthritis is to exercise regularly. Yoga is a form of exercise that helps to increase range of motion in the joints, and moves the muscles and joints that bear weight so that they will not lose strength or mobility.

Before you start any exercise program you need to talk to your medical doctor about what exercises are appropriate for your particular arthritis and what precautions you should take when exercising.

There are many forms of arthritis from fibromyalgia to scleroderma, but let’s focus on osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease caused by wear and tear on the joints. As the cartilage in the joints erodes, the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones wears away causing bone to rub against bone and joint inflammation.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the synovial lining of the joint. It is also an inflammatory arthritis that causes swelling and stiffness in the joint.

The series of yoga videos that I will offer for arthritis (starting with hips) will cover three important things.

1. Breath
2. Range of Motion
3. Strengthen and lengthen the ares surrounding the joint.

Why is breath so important? When we are in pain we tend to breathe more shallowly. By deepening our breath we will send more oxygenated blood to all areas of our body, including the inflamed parts. This helps healing.

Increasing the Range of Motion is the second major strategy. When the soft tissues of the joints swell, it causes compression and reduces even further the space in the joint. Moving the joints not only creates more space in the joint but also increases the lubrication of the joint.

With the decreased movement that comes with arthritis, the muscles and soft tissues around the joints shorten putting even more wear and tear on the joints and gliding surfaces. When the joints are inflamed they will rely on the supportive strength of the muscles around them. Strong muscles around the joint helps to absorb shock, support the joints and protect them from injury.

Check out my yoga for arthritis series starting with Yoga for Arthritis, Hips.

Namaste Yoga 108

Over the next eight weeks we will embark on a special series of classes related to Vishnu, the Hindu God of Preservation. The Hindu God's give us an opportunity to reflect on their qualities, trials and tribulations within our own personal experiences in this case preservation and sustenance. Vishnu was appointed by the God of creation, Brahma, to regulate the consequences of good and evil in the world. Vishnu came into the world in many incarnations whenever calamity occurred. In this first class in a series we explore eagle's pose in honor of Garuda, the demi-God who carries Vishnu. Join us on Facebook. Sign up for our Membership Site. 

Namaste Yoga 107 Yoga for Beginners Two: Finding Time

When asked what the biggest challenge they faced in their lives, Namaste Yogi's responded, time management, lack of time, not enough time, difficulty finding time to do yoga, and being present when they do actually find time to do yoga instead of feeling rushed or pressured to do something else. In this second yoga for beginner's class we will explore a shift in mindset that we can bring to yoga to give us a sense of spaciousness in time to practice yoga. Drawing on the pace of nature as our inspiration we will practice being beginners to slowing down and having the patience to receive the unfolding of our yoga practice. The intention of this practice is to rest into an expanded sense of time and connecting with the slower rhythm of nature. Check out my blog post on the topic. Friend us on Facebook. Get your free morning and evening yoga video sequence at www.melissawest.com Sign up for our Membership Site. 

Namaste Yoga 106 Yoga of Emotions: Love

In this last of a series of classes on emotions we will focus on love. This is a beautiful practice of heart openers in which we appreciate the beauty and grace of unfolding our bodies. Through yoga asana we recognize that beauty is everywhere and always there to be loved. To practice love is to observe the love and beauty in all things. By seeing the beauty and love in all things we are able to see the Divine nature of all things. This class focuses on beautiful backbends and heart openers. Please join us on Facebook. Go to melissawest.com to receive a free morning and evening yoga sequence not available anywhere else on the web. Also sign up for our Membership Site. 

Namaste Yoga 105 Yoga of Emotions: Wonder

This episode shows an exciting gateway into dropping the over-rationalizing egoic mind, suspending "reason" and entering into wonder. In this episode we will open up to the wonder and miracle of life. We begin by bringing awareness to our breath, the very thing which brings us life without even consciously being aware of it. Not only that, but your breath spreads prana (life-force energy) through all the 72, 000 nadis of your body. That awareness alone can drop you into the emotion of wonder. Tuning into the miracles of life such as the birth of a baby and creation itself we will explore some of the various depictions of Brahma (the God of creation) through fish and tortoise poses. Wonder is rajasic and heats our internal fire so we will also explore postures and breath practices to stoke our internal fire. Thank you for your kind donations at www.melissawest.com and while you're there sign up to receive a free morning and evening yoga practice. Remember to like us on Facebook and sign up for our Membership Site.