What does arthritis and yoga have in common? They are both as old as Egyptian mummies.
Rich and poor alike suffer with arthritis and spend lots to find a cure.
Pain in the joints, stiffness and restricted movement may be alleviated with yoga.
At Home Remedies While learning to live with the pain, many have found ease in heat and rest.
Nutrition and diet can make a difference.
Could some foods be causing an allergic reaction? What may increase the pain and inflammation? Would cherries or dark red berries stimulate the production of collagen to repair cartilage? Choiceswith Yoga To loosen the joints, a specific group of yoga exercises has been designed in the Sivananda tradition called Pawanmuktasana Anti-Rheumatic Group.
It is very useful for removing energy blockages in the joints and outer extremities of the body.
All the practices are performed sitting cross-legged on the floor or with the legs straight.
Keep the body straight and relaxed.
If you cannot sit on the floor, sit on a chair.
As a general rule avoid practicing yoga exercises when there is a flare up.
Here are 3 movements from the series.
Knee Bending - Bend the right knee and clasp the hands under the right thigh or on the right shin.
Extend the right leg, pulling up the kneecap tightening the quadriceps.
Straighten the arms.
Keep the spine lengthened and head straight.
Repeat 10 times inhaling while straightening and exhale to bend.
Then rest.
Hand Clenching - Hold arms straight in front of the body at shoulder level.
Open the hand, palms down, and stretch the fingers apart as wide as possible.
Slowly close the fingers to make a tight fist with the thumbs inside.
Inhale as you open hands and stretch the fingers, then exhale wrap the fingers around the thumbs - repeat 10 times and feel the sensation.
Keep shoulders relaxed down.
Shoulder Rotation - Place the fingers of the right hand on the right shoulder.
Keep the left hand on the left knee.
Make large circles with the right elbow, 10 clockwise and 10 counter-clockwise.
Repeat with the left elbow.
Remember to keep the head and spine straight and still.
Breath in when the elbow goes up and out when it comes down.
Other yoga exercises that help joints are guided imagery, meditation and relaxation.
Relax each part of the body, Try repeating your personal mantra with each inhalation and exhalation.
Yoga exercises are more than a distraction from the pain of arthritis.
They help relieve the symptoms.