Just a few weeks ago the Wellness Center at Cape Coral Hospital began featuring yoga and aquatics classes for those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
The results so far have been nothing short of amazing, and we wanted to "pass the word" so that others might avail themselves of this wonderful benefit.
Yoga for MS has the same benefits as a regular yoga class, but includes extra specific benefits. By way of explanation, MS is defined as "a chronic often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (brain and spinal chord)."
Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS vary among individuals and are unpredictable. Today, new treatments and advances in research are giving new hope to people who are affected by the disease.
MS is thought to be an autoimmune disease. The symptoms of MS may include tingling, numbness, painful sensations, slurred speech, and blurred or double vision. Some people experience muscle weakness, poor balance, poor coordination, muscle tightness or spasticity, tremors or paralysis which may be temporary or permanent.
Symptoms may come and go, appear in any combination, and be mild, moderate, or severe. The MS Society is now working with the Wellness Center to provide aquatics and yoga classes for the people in Lee County.
The Wellness Center has MS certified instructors who conduct the classes. The first half of the class is spent doing breathwork and visualization - because that is an important component of dealing with the condition. In this special yoga for MS class, the patient takes the time to slow down, understand what is happening on the inside and surrender to the natural progression of events. This in turn helps to get oxygen and energy flowing through the body and the extremities.
This special yoga will not only aid in digestion, but also will generally increase circulation, improve bowel movements, increase blood flow, relax tightened muscles, strengthen weak/lax muscles and increase mobility.
Some of the most important and dynamic benefits, though for people with MS, is that they may begin to feel sensation in areas of the body that they have lost and come out with a completely different mind set. Most often they are able to cope with the stress of the body a bit better and deal with the condition knowing they are in it for the long run.
For a relatively new program, Yoga for MS is proving to be outstandingly beneficial. A few specific examples: Two women who had previously had bad experiences. After class, one had sensations in her hands and feet, as well as other immediate benefits; the other woman who is in a wheelchair began receiving sensations in her hands and legs. How fantastic is that?