Exercise has been shown to be very helpful for people with all types of arthritis. Yoga is a gentle form of exercise that offers many benefits for arthritis. Yoga can help to increase mobility, improve flexibility and reduce the joint pain that is so common with arthritis.
People interested in trying yoga can often find classes that are geared for specific health conditions. Classes that are designated for people over 50 often include modifications for arthritis.
To supplement your classes, you may be looking for an easy DVD to try at home. Yoga for the Rest of Us: Easy Yoga for Arthritis is a good choice for many people. In this 95 minute DVD, instructor Peggy Cappy guides you through a series of yoga poses. The practice is comprehensive and includes exercises for all parts of the body.
If you are looking for a complete practice with music and little instruction, you may be disappointed in this DVD. However, if you are interested in learning how yoga can benefit arthritis and want to learn poses and modifications that are designed specifically for arthritis, this DVD is a good investment.
This DVD is a good choice for people who are new to the practice of yoga and for people who may have practiced years ago, but haven’t been practicing and want to try it again to help with arthritis. If you are an enthusiast or an advanced practitioner of yoga, this DVD will be too slow for you.
As you are working through this DVD, you will learn poses and adaptations that can be helpful in any yoga class. Once you have learned how to modify the poses to fit your needs, you can use these modifications in any yoga practice, at home or in the studio.
The DVD can be useful for more than just arthritis. People with other health conditions, such as osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, stroke, spinal injury and any condition that requires a slow and gentle stretch may enjoy this DVD. The practice is good for people of all ages to increase mobility and flexibility and decrease joint pain.
The DVD addresses the varying needs of individuals. There are three modifications shown for each pose. Peggy is the main instructor and shows the full pose, such as standing on the mat. The second modification shows using a chair for balance and other simple modifications. The third is even more modified and does all poses in a seated position. This makes the DVD a good choice for people of varying levels of ability.