Physical exercise may help you relieve stiffness and even reduce pain!

Looking to help relieve stiffness and pain associated with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis? You may find the relief you’re looking for simply by adding a little yoga to your weekly routine.

What Kind of Exercise Will Help Arthritis?

In order to get the full benefit of exercise for arthritis, it needs to meet these requirements:

• Improve flexibility and motion
• Strengthen muscles
• Increase aerobic endurance
• Improve balance

Now, if you were trying to fit these into a walking program, you’d have to also include stretching and weight training to get the full benefit. This is where yoga comes in.

How Yoga Meets Your Exercise Goals.

Yoga includes several different exercises into one session, while allowing for gentle changes to fit your exercise level. It can also help you with the stress and anxiety that comes with living with chronic pain because it includes meditative breathing as well.

Tips on Finding the Right Yoga for You.

So, if you’re ready to get on a yoga mat, here are some tips to get the best experience.

1. Always talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.
2. Research yoga studios and instructors, looking specifically for those geared towards people with arthritis. If they don’t have a class specifically for arthritis, look for classes that are for beginners, seniors, or labeled as “gentle”. Most gyms, like the YMCA, are offering virtual classes while COVID-19 social distancing is in place.
3. Feel free to ask questions before your first class, especially about modifying poses for your specific needs.
4. Know that everyone starts out as a beginner. It isn’t about being perfect, but about getting on the mat and moving.

If you want to give yoga a try at home during COVID-19, we have created a playlist of beginner yoga workouts geared towards people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.