My First Yoga Class after my MS Diagnosis

Hi! I laughed when you said the part about the instructor not knowing what MS is because she asked if you were congested! I thought it was a yoga term...you know, congested or blocked up from not "opening up" your body with breathing! But you could be absolutely right that she has no clue...it's surprising how many people do not!

I have to say that your description in this column gave me courage because I'm planning to start a beginner's yoga class tomorrow and, even though I don't have MS, I feared "Power Yoga" that could HURT ME! hahahaha. I'm hoping to find the gentleness you describe and stretch my old muscles and possibly help reduce the aching in my joints even more than I've been able to do so far.

I am on a quest for increased mobility because I'm 53 and have NEVER taken good care of myself. I started to do that about a year or so ago and am just now ready for beginner yoga!

Thanks for the inspiration!

Spinner

Aw, Merely Me, no wonder you were not convinced about yoga after your frst experience.  That teacher was probably an exercisor who tried to incorporate yoga into her normal routine.  How's that for judgment?

Now, on to your real fist time —

The true idea is not to stretch beyond your means, but to teach your body to stretch further each time.  It does work, gaining control of your body and soul, without hurting yourself, just increasing your discipline.  Of course you may have to put aside your "superficial bias," but you did that.

It's funny, isn't it, the connections you make as your body moves in those unnatural, but natural, poses.  Your idea that farting equals jerking - yes, I always made that connection!  You don't have to be in yoga class for that one to work.

Anyway, I am glad you are learning to relax.  Please keep it up, and please report on your progress.  Until then, Namaste.

Thank you for sharing!  I am glad you had a good experience and are beginning a new journey in enjoyment with yoga.  I haven't done yoga in a while (since diagnosis earlier this year) but I am going to go this week!  I fnd it is good for the mind (relaxation and the preprioceptor we need to work on for those of us with ms), the body and the spirit/mood.  I love yoga and you have motivated me..thank you!

That is funny re:  farting..a good male of friend of mine was just in a yoga class & it happened to him...maybe best to not go into the class when a little farty...though it is funny!

Thanks for the post

Jen