yoga therapy for arthritis

A gentle yoga practice is recommended, using repetitive movements to warm up the body, then holding postures to build strength and flexabilty and finally resting in Shavasana, relaxation pose. Postures that focus on flexability will help open up the joints and increase range of motion and the circualtion of blood, energy and oxygen. Postures that focus on strength will build muscles around the joint, nourishing and stabilizing it. Shavasana is essential to allow the body to rejuvinate, integrate and use the energy that was created and released in the postures to now heal the body. At the begining of a yoga program you may feel pain in the affected joints as they move and open. If this pain exceeds what is normally experienced in daily living back off or modify the postures. You may feel some continuing pain after a yoga practice, but not for more than 1-2 hours. If longer than this modify or reduce your program. With consitent practice, perferably 2-4 times a week, joint pain, swelling and inflamation will slowly decrease. Start slowly with easy postures and gradually buid up the intensitiy and length of your practice over time. Yoga is contraindicated in acute flare ups of pain, swelling or inflamation. Avoid postures that torque or put excess or direct pressure on the joints.

Use our whole body tonic sequence as a base for arthritis adding or emphasiaing postures that open and strengthen the effected joints. Postures fo knee pain > Postures for hip pain Postures for back pain	For Osteoarthritis use energizing and warming pranayamas:. Kapalabhati Pranayama Ujjayi Pranayama For Rhumatiod Arthritis use cooling and calming pranayamas: Sit Cari Pranayama Shitali Pranayama Dirga Pranayama	Meditation reduces stress, calms the mind and helps reduce pain and heal the body. Yoga Meditation Meta Meditation Heart Chakra Meditation

Yoga – Relaxation and Relief for Arthritis Sufferers Yoga for osteoarthritis of the hands Stretching and Strengthening Exercises for Arthritis Exercises for Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis	Yoga: the Path to Holistic Health Yoga Therapy Yoga for Wellness Yoga RX Arthritis: An American Yoga Association Wellness Guide	Johns hopkins Online resource for Arthritis Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Arthritis) Natural remedies for Arthritis

Ahimsa, the yogic practice of non violence must be adhered to when engaging in the practice of hatha yoga. Respect your body's limitations and inner wisdom, if something feels wrong or dangerous, please do not do it.

Please consult your health care practitioner before starting a yoga, pranayama or other exercise program.