Yoga Resources for People with Disabilities

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Yoga Resources for People with Disabilities

by Kim Donahue, for http://www.disaboom

September is a great month to stretch, whether it's going back to

school, starting a new job, setting a new goal – or actually

stretching your limbs! No surprise then, that September is National

Yoga Month.

Yoga Helps All Bodies

The gentle stretching of yoga and its centered-breathing discipline

can benefit people who may have arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS),

Parkinson's disease, or osteoporosis as well as those who have had a

stroke. The " asanas, " or poses that make up a yoga practice can also

help with balance and strength while helping you find a calming

emotional space that helps not only with healing, but also with the

day-to-day challenges of life.

In addition, notes the National Center on Physical Activity and

Disability (NCPAD), yoga aids your:

• Digestive system, as the bending and stretching poses stimulate the

digestive system

• Cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary systems (also known as your

heart and lungs!), as the more active poses increase heart rate and

lung capacity through aerobic activity

• Lymphatic system (essentially, the primary component of your immune

system), which needs strong muscles and active interaction among the

lungs, diaphragm, and thorax to stay strong

• Skeletal and muscular systems, which benefit from yoga's focus on

proper alignment, flexibility, and muscle-strengthening

Learning More About Yoga

One of the best free sources of information regarding yoga and its

benefits is the NCPAD's website section, " Yoga for Individuals with

Disabilities. " Included among its overviews, articles, videos, and

online demonstrations are information about yoga's benefits, yoga

equipment, what to expect in a yoga session, demonstrations of

specific exercises, a resource list, a directory of yoga

organizations (definitely needs updating/expanding), and a relatively

current (2005 is most recent publication date) list of books and

articles about yoga for various conditions. Although it would be

great if this resource list could be updated, it is still

nevertheless a great starting point to check out what's been written

about yoga and your specific condition.

So why not make yoga part of your September stretch – you'll find

the " Yoga for Individuals with Disabilities " website just what you

need to get started.

Other yoga resources:

Chair Yoga Get Fit Where You Sit™

Reconnecting with My Body--Through Yoga

Yoga for People with Multiple Sclerosis

Yoga for the Lower Extremity Amputee: Intro and Part One

Yoga for the Lower Extremity Amputee: Part Two

Eight Simple Yoga Poses for Headache and Neck Pain

Yoga and Disability: Sanford Builds Bodies and Life Skills

Exercise for Energy