Having lived with Multiple Sclerosis for over 11 years, Maria Hawkes experimented with various treatments from reflexology to holistic therapy and from support groups to counselling before discovering the art of Hatha Yoga and the positive effects it had in helping her to deal with the ongoing symptoms of MS. Since that discovery she has become a yoga teacher and decided to share her experiences and their positive effects on her life when dealing with MS. Maria explains how she tried to discover the causes which led to her being diagnosed with MS and takes you on her journey from childhood to the present day and the path that eventually led her to yoga. In addition, Maria looks at other treatments in conjunction with yoga which have helped her. She says; Determination to keep MS under control is what motivates me daily

Yoga for people with multiple sclerosis? Absolutely! Today, people with a wide range of medical problems use yoga successfully. Because of its emphasis on relaxation, breathing, and deliberate movement, it can be especially beneficial for individuals dealing with a neurologic disease like multiple sclerosis. Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis, coauthored by Dr. Loren Martin Fishman and Eric Small, a yoga teacher who first embraced these techniques as a way to manage his own symptoms of multiple sclerosis, is a comprehensive guide to applying the principles of yoga to the management of MS. The first section is a straightforward but gentle introduction to yoga - a therapeutic approach to the practice itself. The second part is functionally oriented. Different yoga poses that work toward a common goal, such as combating fatigue, reducing spasticity, and increasing range of motion, are included and illustrated. This user-friendly guide Describes how yoga works Includes photographs and descriptions of each pose Explains effects, advantages, and contraindications Contains starter poses that will help the uninitiated or physically challenged to gently achieve a posture Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis: A Journey to Health and Healing is an excellent guidebook and tool for people with MS, people who undertake yoga on their own, and for all members of the medical and yoga communities.

By providing an overview of key yoga postures and basic breathing techniques, this book demonstrates how people with Multiple Sclerosis can manage symptoms, and create a regular yoga practice in order to enhance physical and mental wellbeing. The book includes photos to demonstrate the yoga poses, as well as case studies and testimonials that depict the benefits and impact of a regular practice that can be carried out at home with minimal equipment or household objects. There is also advice on safety, diet and nutrition, and meditation practices. Suitable for beginner and continuing level yoga students, Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis is the perfect guide for those wishing to harness the therapeutic power of yoga, as well as for yoga teachers looking for ways to support their students.

Eight simple and relaxing yoga sequences for fibromyalgia patients looking to manage their pain, alleviate their fatigue, and improve their overall well-being Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain in muscles, ligaments, and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points (places on the body where slight pressure causes pain). Although mainstream medicine has yet to devise a successful plan for treating fibromyalgia, yoga offers sensible strategies for managing—and sometimes overcoming—the pain. Written by a yoga teacher and suitable for both yoga novices and veterans, this book is grounded in simple movements, breathing techniques, and guided visualization and relaxation sessions. Readers learn to reduce stress and manage fibromyalgia through eight sequences: four for pain relief, one to diminish fatigue and improve sleep, and three for maintaining body awareness and general flexibility. The author’s simple, supportive language and mixture of theory, practice, and the latest scientific data offer hope for one of today's most challenging health conditions.

This first-of-a-kind book based on the author's experience outlines a comprehensive program specifically geared to those with Parkinson's disease. This book covers a wide range of movement therapies such as range of motion exercises, low to no-impact aerobics, strength training, yoga, and T'ai Chi. The Book of Exercise and Yoga for Those with Parkinson's Disease is unique in that it covers a wide range of techniques, which are specificallygeared to, and have been proven helpful for, those with Parkinson's disease. The exercises are all explained in detail utilizing safe body mechanics and are illustrated in standing, standing holding onto a chair, and seated variations to accommodate a widevariety of abilities. This complete wellness program goes beyond the traditional exercise book offering information on home safety, fall prevention, activities of daily living, and body mechanics (including how to get up from the floor) as well as facial and voice projection exercises. Each chapter includes brief explanations on how each movement technique physiologically affects the body and how they specifically help those with Parkinson's disease. The strength training chapter also includes simple muscle diagrams to educatereaders about which muscle group(s) they are targeting. This book also provides information on stress management and provides instruction in four different relaxation/meditation techniques. If you are looking for a complete program to help you manage your symptoms and enhance your quality of life, then this book is for you.

Can you open yourself up to the possibility of an infinite, loving intelligence guiding and orchestrating this whole universe? Can you listen to the wisdom of your divine body? Can you trust in the divine wisdom of your soul? These are difficult questions, yet in 2007, Mounina Bouna Aly had to seek answers as MS came into her life and turned her world upside down. Receiving the Healing Gift in MS shares Mounina’s firsthand journey as she became curious and began to study herself, life, and healing. And after three years of denial, she opened herself to the message the universe was trying to deliver. She allowed her life to fall apart and then surrendered to it. She discovered that MS was a gift for her, because it led to her healing. To heal is to receive with simplicity whatever life brings to your doorstep. To heal is to change from the inside out, become your authentic self, and raise your vibration. And to heal is to forgive the past and create a new future. When we partner with the universe, we become experts at solving life’s problems.

Multiple Sclerosis…Why Not Me? by Vincent Spoto Upon being formally diagnosed with MS in the summer of 2006, I immediately began interferon treatment. For approximately two years after being diagnosed, there were no visible symptoms. Then in fall 2008 I began to limp. As time went on, my gait became impacted & has since gotten slowly but progressively worse. I currently suffer from secondary progressive MS. Presently, I am fully ambulatory but do utilize a cane. In addition to my gait issues, my balance is off and I do get fatigued often. I am determined not to let MS get the best of me. After falling victim in 2007 to a Reduction in Workforce (RIF) associated with the collapse of the secondary mortgage market on Wall Street, I teamed up with two partners & formed an advisory / consulting business. Today, my business continues to thrive & do well. My determination to deal with my MS & be ready for the cure is founded in four main principals. These are: Remain Engaged in the Marketplace / Workforce. Remaining engaged in the workforce keeps me abreast of current marketplace events, allows me to maintain relationships, network with others & provides me with a sense of accomplishment necessary for overall well-being. Remain Physically and Socially Active. I find exercise to be critical in that it keeps me active. Admittedly, some days are more difficult than others, but I push myself to get out of the house & exercise. Additionally, meeting with & talking to others on a regular basis keeps me engaged and socially relevant. Remain Positive. Dwelling on the negative takes too much energy & only drives one to become depressed. While I am often times frustrated, I remain optimistic about the future & remain confident that a cure is forthcoming. Remain Knowledgeable. Having knowledge is having power; with respect to MS, this is essential. Today, progress towards a cure is being made at a rapid pace. It is critical to always ask questions, stay informed and do your homework. When, not if a cure is identified, I plan to be ready to take full advantage of all those little things that life has to offer. MS … Today it stands for Multiple Sclerosis. Let’s hope tomorrow it stands for Mystery Solved.

Explains how the health of the spine and posture affect every system of the body and discusses how yoga poses and breathing exercises benefit the ciruculatory system, the heart, and other vital organs and remove stiffness and inertia from the body.

For more than 30 years, Yoga Journal has been helping readers achieve the balance and well-being they seek in their everyday lives. With every issue,Yoga Journal strives to inform and empower readers to make lifestyle choices that are healthy for their bodies and minds. We are dedicated to providing in-depth, thoughtful editorial on topics such as yoga, food, nutrition, fitness, wellness, travel, and fashion and beauty.