Thursday, November 29, 2012

My Best Laid Plans: Yoga and Autoimmune Disease

It is always a bit of a shock how quickly my health can change with autoimmune disease. Twenty-four hours ago, I was  planning to go to my first yoga class in a number of years.  It was advertised as a gentle, restorative class for those with  health conditions and chronic illness.  I've heard and read that yoga at the right pace can be helpful for those with autoimmune conditions. It was something I had been thinking about doing for a number of weeks and this would be my day.  For  me, this was a big step--feeling well enough to participate in a group activity or class--a real indication of my health  progress.

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So I created a schedule for the morning to make sure that I got out of the house, putting the time of eating breakfast and even taking a shower into my smartphone.  I was trying to plan and schedule for all possible contingencies so there would be no  reason that I would not make it there.

Ha. Well, this contrary body of mine had a different idea. It reminded me that I don't run my calendar. It's my body that  has the big say.

Instead of going to yoga, I found myself in nerve pain once again. Just when I felt like it had been away long enough that I could plan my own schedule.  Once it started, I knew that yoga was out of the question.  My day went from being centered around  trying a new activity to just getting through the hours, minutes, and even seconds of the day. I started to write about my pain, but decided no.  Not now. I'm not going to let it back in.

I kept running over in my head was there something I did that triggered this.  Did I over do it with Thanksgiving travel and  family activities? I know that's not how it works, but at times it's impossible not to think this way.

Well, here's hoping this is a temporary problem caused by some combination of new medication and cold weather. We'll all find out together I suppose. If you read a post about yoga next week, you'll know things are under control.

For now, I would love to hear about others' experiences with yoga who have autoimmune disease and if it has been beneficial.


at 12:57 PM
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10 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 29, 2012 at 2:37 PM

    I love yoga. It's the only thing I can seem to stick with while battling lupus. I tried spin classes, couch to 5k, and tabata workouts when I've felt better but I can't seem to stick to those long term. Yoga makes me feel like I'm stretching out all the areas that hurt, instead of pushing my heart/lungs to the brink of collapse with normal cardio exercises.

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    1. AutoimmuneGalDecember 7, 2012 at 4:42 PM

      It is really good to hear that you're able to do yoga even when you aren't feeling so great. The classes that I used to take a number of years ago were very intense with lots of headstands, which just wouldn't work for me now. I am hoping the class that I am planning to try is more low key and focused on stretching and relaxation. Will keep you posted.

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  2. CrackedBettyNovember 29, 2012 at 5:28 PM

    I don't think there's anything more frustrating than planning a day to do something nice for yourself and then autoimmune disease kicks in. Here's hoping your body settles down soon and that you make it to that yoga class!

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    1. AutoimmuneGalDecember 7, 2012 at 4:32 PM

      That's completely true. It is a real let down and definitely frustrating. I know that I'll make to yoga eventually and if not maybe I can try some at home.

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  3. Christine December 2, 2012 at 6:16 PM

    My experience with yoga is that I keep saying I will do one of the many classes at my gym and I have yet to do one...LOL.Maybe this will motivate me to do one!

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    1. AutoimmuneGalDecember 7, 2012 at 2:40 PM

      We will have to motivate each other. Maybe a New Year's resolution?

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  4. AnonymousDecember 14, 2012 at 6:57 AM

    I find that it's not so much the yoga that I have a hard time with when I'm "flaring" up, but it's the getting dressed & out of the house for anything...I've never taken a class, but have attempted some yoga that's been on tv & recently got a dvd for yoga for people with arthritis so I'm hoping I'll be able to follow along & complete all of the moves. When I'm in pain the gentle stretching feels good, but normal activities like walking, driving etc. are challenging...so I'm not sure I'd ever make it to a class unless they offered free massages or something.

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  5. AnonymousJanuary 7, 2013 at 4:08 PM

    Hi!
    Yoga is helping me a lot. I can't do as much as I wish, because of joint pain. But it's part of my schedule to try to works against pain. I try to do some at home, because I can't always go to class.
    I would definitly encourage people to try it. And since there is a lot of different yoga, you can try them all, to find the best for you.

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  6. Phone: 298-3585 maureenmaymusic@bellsouth.netDecember 30, 2013 at 11:18 PM

    I go in and out of practicing depending on my RA and Lupus. I have found that getting up and out of the house usually ends badly so I started just doing yoga at home. I use a combo of videos, www.doyogawithme website and my good friend who will come some Saturdays and work me through a practice. Keep trying but be kind to yourself. We battle a lot with our autoimmune diseases. I always regret not doing a session but have yet to regret after a yoga practice. It really does help.

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  7. AnonymousDecember 2, 2014 at 2:55 PM

    After years struggling with thyroid issues, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease. It means that basically my body was attacking my thyroid gland destroying it. I was always tired, and although I worked out all the time I was unable to build muscle mass. It is a journey, but I feel I have a grasp on it now. The turning points for me have been dietary changes (paleo), Pilates and Yoga. I do Pilates 2-3 times a week and yoga 1-2 times a week. I feel so much better. Not only I get a physical benefit, but also the mental benefit is amazing. I feel happy and relaxed. I would recommend it to anyone with autoimmune.

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