Yoga: A Great Workout for Those with Arthritis and Other Physical Disabilites

Yoga was a puzzle to me for years. Growing up in rural Ohio I did not have much exposure to this practice. I was fairly active with tennis, aerobic exercise, walking, hiking and camping. I did do some jogging with my husband on occasion. However I had suffered a knee injury in high school and had the cartilage removed from my right knee the year I graduated. This knee injury did cause bouts of pain, swelling and tenderness even after the surgery. Over the years I developed a thyroid condition, fibromyalgia and arthritis in both knees as well as the back of my neck and lower back. The activities I had accomplished fairly easily years earlier now became very painful. Even day to day walking became very painful. I tried medications, injections of cortisone and then Hyalgan. Finally I gave in and agreed to have a knee replacement of my right knee.

After my knee replacement surgery I was concerned about the types of exercise I could be involved with. I was able to ride a bicycle and to walk however I wanted to return to a yoga class. I had begun yoga class with my husband a few years prior to the surgery for the very fact that it offered body toning and exercise without strenuous exercise. We both grew to enjoy the yoga classes and the benefits of the toning, breathing exercises and relaxation. I was very glad when the doctor agreed that yoga could be a good exercise program for me.

I have discovered several yoga instruction DVDs that I now use. My husband and I enjoy all of these three DVDs I am describing. And, all of them are suitable for persons with arthritis or other health issues.

Yoga for the Rest of Us

Peggy Cappy is the instructor for this DVD yoga program. The program is offered on Public Television and there is a series of DVDs to choose from. All of the DVDs are yoga routines that most anyone can accomplish. These routines are designed for every age and ability level. By using a chair during the workouts you may enjoy the benefits of the yoga poses.

Lilias Alive With Yoga

This beginner level yoga VHS program contains two 30-minute sessions. Lilia is also seen on television. This first tape gently guides you through the introductory poses. The program also offers instruction for poses, exercises for strength and flexibility and instruction for breathing and relaxation.

Yoga for Every Body

Yoga for Every Body is produced by bodywisdom media. This DVD program offers an interactive yoga series which allows you to pick and choose from the routines to create your own program. The DVD contains practices for beginner, intermediate and advanced students. These routines may allow you to build strength, flexibility, increase range of motion, or to target problem areas.

All of these yoga programs are wonderful, easy to follow and can be done in your home at your convince. Finding classes close to us, at times we could attend and at reasonable rates became very difficult. These programs allow us the flexibility and level of class that we desire. My favorite is the Yoga for the Rest of Us with Peggy Cappy. At the end of one of the workouts you do realize that you have worked your whole body, you are more relaxed and your breathing is steady and regular. It almost seems effortless while you are performing the practices, exercises and poses and yet you definitely feel the workout.

I would highly recommend any one, or all, of these yoga instruction programs.