Yoga is meant to be free for all. It improves flexibility and posture and maintains the core balance of the body and strengthens the core. Yoga is a practice that is a combination of meditation and breathing which promotes an individual’s mental and physical well-being. Irrespective of the nature of yoga an individual is performing it helps better blood flow in the body, muscle flexibility and better oxygen flow in the body.
If you are reading this probably you or someone close to you may have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. This is not the end of the road in either case. Parkinson’s can be prevented, according to a combined study by the National Institute of Health and American Parkinson Diseases Association, yoga has been proven to be a leading alternative therapy solution that could potentially reduce the tremors and promotes steadiness.
This article on a special request by an amazing Clinical Psychologist. Dedicated to all those warriors and heroes out there fighting Parkinson’s every day, hope you can find it helpful.
Adaptive Yoga poses for people suffering from Parkinson’s Disease
- Virabhadrasana (Warrior Pose)
Warrior pose can be a great adaptive yoga for PD. This is due to the fact that this yoga focuses on body balance. It helps in releasing the stiff muscles and joints and soothes the nerve endings, thus reducing the tremors. For better support, you can choose to use a chair or stool to balance yourself better
- Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
Tadasana or Mountain Pose is another great asana which is known to promote body balance and strengthens the core. It can help in suppressing stooping and helps in upright body movements such as walking and even known to improve back problems.
Also Read: 10 Best Yoga Poses to get rid of Migraine
- Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend Pose)
Uttanasana is a great adaptive yoga pose for people suffering from Parkinson’s. This is due to the fact that it stretches the lower back and the calf and hamstring area. Does this eventually helps in suppressing the tremors and provides an overall soothing effect on the body.
- Shavasana (Relaxation pose)
This yoga pose one of the greatest known adaptive yoga poses for people suffering from Parkinson’s. Shavasana is known to soothe your nervous system across the body. Since the brain is the center of the body’s nervous system, complete relaxation could assist in reducing the tremors over time.
- Salabhasana (Locust Pose)
This is a great bending backward adaptive yoga pose to control Parkinson’s tremors. It is known to make the thighs, back and neck stronger. Additionally, it is known to help with better bowel movements and reduces tummy fat.
- Anuloma Viloma Pranayama (Alternating Breath)
This breathing technique is known to bring balance to breathing. Anuloma Viloma Pranayama brings relaxation to the nervous system and helps in assisting in the better sleep cycle. It purifies the bloodstream and brings in more oxygen thus calming the body, making it an amazing adaptive yoga for Parkinson’s.
- Kapalabhati Pranayama (Shining skull breath)
Kapalabhati Pranayama is known to clear mucus in the air passages, relieve congestion or constipation, reduce bloating and increase lung capacity. It is an invigorating breath that can build heat in the body. This, in turn, reduces the tremors making it an amazing adaptive yoga for Parkinson’s.
- Ujjayi Pranayama (Victorious Breathing)
Ujjayi pranayama also helps in full expansion of the lungs and assists in focusing your attention on your breath. This, in turn, helps in calming the mind and soothing the nervous system. Try to practice this breathing technique 10 minutes a day to control the tremors.
- Brahmari Pranayama (Humming bee breath)
Bramhari is a soothing breathing practice that is known to calm your nervous system making it a great adaptive yoga pose for Parkinson’s Disease. This helps in reducing the stress and anxiety helps you have a better sleep cycle.
- Sheetali Pranayama (Cooling Breath)
Sheetali pranayama calms and soothes the mind and body by invigorating an evaporative cooling mechanism during inhalation which delivers gently cooling energy to the deep tissues of the body. Additionally, this pranayama also enkindles the digestive fire making it an amazing adaptive yoga for people suffering from Parkinson’s.
