Come on in, the water’s fine.
Considerations for practicing yoga for MS’ers.
I’m a proud member in good standing of the Ashtanga yoga cheerleading team – woo-hoo. I find it perfect for people with MS due to many factors one being a set series of asanas. But I would recommend anything that gets you out there practicing as that is far better than doing nothing.
I’ve been practicing Ashtanga Yoga for eight years now. I’ve apprenticed with an authorized Ashtanga teacher, attended intensive teacher training courses, and maintained a committed regular practice all the while. All that goes way beyond what I thought where this path would take me.
Below are some things you should consider and or be aware of if your thinking of jumping into the pool. This is what I’ve discovered along the way.
The first consideration when I started yoga was do I tell them I have MS. Up until yoga I rarely divulged to anyone that I have MS. When I started Ashtanga I did inform them and it was the best decision. It changed how I was taught Ashtanga and it made a difference. My initial progress was much slower and more considered. I was very weak, overweight, and had / have balance issues. I was brought along at a more measured pace and certain asanas were left out until I gained enough strength. So take it slow and judge your own progress as progress, because that is exactly what it is – your doing it.
The second consideration is heat. I know that heat can and is a deterrent to doing anything if you have MS – at least that’s how it works for me. Ashtanga is practiced at around 25 degrees Celsius. That kind of heat promotes flexibility and generates heat internally from breath and movement. I have been ok with the temperature at 25 degrees but I do notice that deterioration occurs quicker than it does at my home practice where the temperature is approximately six to eight degrees cooler. I’m also not a heavy perspiring type person. When it’s 25 degrees Celsius sweat slowly builds up as I practice which feels good to me.
I have learned that even if you start to deteriorate because of heat you will recover afterward. The affect is temporary. So continuing to practice while feeling the affects of the heat is ok as far as my experience goes.
The third consideration is teachers. I was / am very fortunate to have great teachers and I know that is difficult to know beforehand and in most city’s there is only one or two Ashtanga shala’s available (some have none). So if you are lucky to have multiple options you can try them all, feel the vibe, and figure out what is best for you.
My teachers were authorized and or certified but I have had excellent teachers who were not – they are all smarter than me. I had / have lots to learn.
The forth consideration is tradition and philosophy. I must admit that this part of Ashtanga was a big unknown to me. I knew nothing about the underpinnings of Yoga and that is ok – you can take it or leave it – it’s up to you. Personally I’m fascinated by tradition but not necessarily bound to it – it made / makes yoga feel real to me.
A few years after I started yoga one of the practitioners started a yoga philosophy group sort of like a book club where we discussed all things yoga. We also red books like the Yoga Sutras, The Bhagavad Gita, etc. etc., and new books like One Simple Thing. We would read and get together and discuss. We actually spent an hour and half talking to Eddie Stern the author of One Simple Thing which I enjoyed immensely (book and conversation).
Yoga philosophy is a pretty big topic that delves into all kinds of areas. As a human being I would assume you would want to be a good and kind person. One whom has morals and try’s to lead a life that causes no harm. Boiled down that is what yoga philosophy is about. Nobody is perfect and I think it’s a good way of life to aspire too.
The fifth consideration is the rate of learning. I remember a teacher telling me early on that in about a year you’ll be strong enough to do this. I don’t remember what the this was but I thought it’s going to take a whole year. That’s way to long but she was correct. The learning curve is different with everyone and strength for me took a long time to improve but it does not matter if it took two or three years what else was I doing. I was still getting stronger little by little. Don’t be discouraged by what may seem to be slow progress it’s still progress. And the results will amaze you as you get to the point where you look back.
I’m still progressing eights years in and it seems to have excellerated recently. One thing I know is if my body lets me I will keep practicing until I can’t. It’s something I enjoy doing and plan on continuing. So I’m not bound to an improve only policy.
Lastly know yourself. I’ve learned that when I get sore it usually means I’m progressing. The soreness is a result of pushing myself. But I’m always aware of pushing too hard. There is a difference between good hurt and bad hurt. If you take it slow you’ll figure that out and you’ll still get there.
I found yoga because my neurologist told me I was pre-diabetic and needed to do something’s about it. Ashtanga was where I ended up just to fix this potential problem. But as it turns out it’s become a journey that continues to surprise and inform me almost every day.
Be safe