Fibromyalgia and Yoga: Yoga Can Help You Put Fibro in Its Place

If you suffer from Fibromyalgia, as I do, you have probably been told to do Yoga. However, there are some things you should know before you start a Yoga program, and you will regain a connection to your body as you go along in your Yoga program.

Naturally, you should check with your doctor before starting any exercise regimen, but for fibro sufferers it is all the more imperative. You must verify with your doctor if you have back, neck, or joint issues. Whether you have issues with a particular body part or not, you should start off slowly, with gentle stretching, rather than diving into an advanced yoga routine.

I do not know if doctors recommend this or not, but a yoga instructor told me something that seemed like common sense once she said it- but that I had never considered before. The best course of action, if you can afford it or find a class in your area, is to attend a few yoga classes, so that you can discuss with an expert what your particular needs and expectations are. They can then guide you to positions that will help you avoid hurting your problem areas, give you gentle stretches for the areas that need to open up more, and help you with overall strengthening and toning. They can also guide you through the positions to make sure you're doing each one properly, and tell you which stretches you absolutely should avoid, in the event that you can't continue classes, and elect to get a DVD or VHS tape for home use.

So, let's say you're a fibro sufferer like me, with lower back pain, weak shoulders, and weak wrists. Which positions should you avoid?

Well- surprisingly enough, I've been told to avoid the "wheel" - otherwise known as the backbend- at all costs. It puts too much pressure on the wrists, and has no noticeable benefits for the back. It also may be problematic for my shoulders, as it puts a lot of pressure on the ball joint- and I've had dislocations in the past. I've actually been advised to avoid a lot of positions that put pressure on the shoulder ball joint until I strengthen those muscles considerably.

The recommended positions are those that will strengthen and tone the lower back and abdomen- twists, such as one of the simplest moves I was taught. Kneel on the floor with your heels tucked beneath your butt, toes pointed, tops of the feet on the floor. Inhale and imagine a string lifting through the top of your head, sitting straight up, spine aligned. Exhale and shift over onto your right buttock, let your left ankle rest on the right arch. Inhale again and lift through the top of the sternum to stretch the front of your torso, then exhale and twist your torso to the right, attempting to keep the left buttock as close to the floor as you can. Lengthen your tailbone towards the flor also, and soften the belly. Put your left hand on the outside of your right knee and bring your right hand to the floor beside your right buttock. Pull your left shoulder back and continue to twist the chest to the right- you should feel things opening up as you do this. Turn your head along with the motion to stretch your neck, and breathe for a count of at least 3. Then release, slowly and carefully, and do the same for the opposite side.

This is an incredibly simple stretch, yet I feel it opening and stretching both my back and chest and abdomen when I do it, and I always feel like I can breathe easier once I am done. And that is just one single seated stretch! There are at least a dozen others that are just as good, some standing, some seated like that one, some laying on your stomach, some laying on your back.

Truly, if you have fibromyalgia, one of the best things you can do for yourself is investigate yoga- but as with everything, you must do it carefully, slowly, and you must listen to your body along the way.

Indeed, the connection that you will gain to your body is the best thing about doing yoga. As your yoga practice continues, you will become more sensitive to your body's needs, you will be able to hear when your body needs more rest, or more exercise, and you will know when something is out of whack. I have found that since I started a regular yoga practice, my body will crave certain things- and if I listen and provide those things, I definitely feel a difference in my levels of fibrofog. I may never get back to the way that I was before I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but at least I have regained a sense of ownership over my body.

As I told a friend- yoga has helped me feel like while I may have fibro, fibro doesn't have me.