Since my MS diagnosis several years ago, all of my attempts to exercise have been less than rewarding and far from beneficial. In short, they have been downright disastrous. And it's not that I'm exercise-phobic. Far from it. I used to be the gal you loved to hate. I was the perky princess who religiously stuck to her workout routine. I was the svelte sylph who smiled through all the lunges. And indeed, it was I -- the graceful goddess -- who laughed in the face of killer ab crunches (ha ha!) while never breaking a sweat.
Yes, in my pre-MS days, I was practically giddy with the love of aerobics. I loved working my body; watching it firm up and slim down as I surpassed each goal I set for myself. Unfortunately, a severe attack of MS made those wild days at the gym as short-lived as a carnival ride. That 1993 exacerbation left me with overwhelming residual problems of fatigue, weakness, and incoordination. This, of course, makes exercise a different sort of challenge since you need a certain amount of energy, strength, and coordination to manage aerobic activities. For me, just getting to the MS water aerobics class is a Herculean feat. By the time I've gotten dressed, made it to the aquatic center, and changed into my swimsuit, I'm ready for a nap!
This reality leads me to a search for an exercise program I can do at home. I've heard a lot about the benefits of yoga and thought I'd share what I've discovered thus far.
Yoga is recognized by advocates as an excellent aid in MS symptom management -- regardless of degree of disability. This exercise discipline is used by individuals with few or no outward signs of MS, as well as those who are not ambulatory without assistance.
According to the American Yoga Association, yoga is gaining attention and respect as a symptom reliever in MS.
"A daily program of Yoga exercise, breathing, and meditation improves general health and well-being as well as having certain particular benefits. Yoga techniques have been shown to improve circulation, balance, the ability to relax at will, flexibility, and eyesight; and to reduce muscle tension, nervousness, depression, anxiety, and emotional stress – all common symptoms of multiple sclerosis."
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