Yoga for Parkinson's & Other Reasons

           Okay, I know I have done yoga posts before, however this one is different. This time I want to cover how yoga aides in the fight against neurological disorders such as Parkinson's Disease, or PD for short. Largely, yoga is still being viewed as either a "girly thing," or just something people think they simply cannot do because of seeing very seasoned yogis performing crazy poses. That's still yoga, but I am simply speaking of hatha and flow. Personally I mix a bit of Tai Chi in mine to aide more in mobility as well. 

           Now I have talked about the benefits that yoga brings, ridding the body and soul of stress, and how it can ease the mind and adjust hormones which also aide in healthy fat loss. This post is going to focus on how yoga improves the  muscular and central nervous system. 

1.   Mobility. Mobility is a highly important function, not just for those with PD, but for everyone. Mobility has to do with how... well how mobile you are! In other words, take a look at how you walk, sit, stand, reach for you glass of water, etc. Mobility is a part of all of those things. When it comes to yoga, specific poses force the yogi to contract particular areas. In standing poses, we focus on the hip and knee extensors along with the ankle plantar flexor. Everything that supports center-of-mass in your body. Working these muscles improves overall stability, walking, posture, and balance. 
2. Balance.  Speaking of balance, this is the main reason that I personally began yoga when I was 16. I was a dancer and wanted better balance and my mum told me to do yoga, saying that it would improve it. Now, had I stuck to it consistently for the last 13 years I might be as a amazing as the yogis that frighten us away from the healing powers yoga brings. Nobody really likes to hold a pose for a minute flat, especially when you are just starting out. That minute can feel like an eternity. But never fear, start small. Starting at a lower amount of holding time allows the body to properly build. Holding poses forces the body to fire certain muscles, trust me when I say this. If you don't feel that workout burning sensation, or if you feel real pain in a way that will hurt you, you may in fact being doing your poses INCORRECTLY. There is a correct form and posture in which to conduct yoga or any form of exercise. Firing muscles when standing makes your body adapt and grow. If we do not feel pain, as in sore from working out, we will not see the change we wish to see. 
3. Strength. Oh yes, yoga builds strength. Think about this for a second - you are standing and your body automatically holds you up. Why? Your brain is communicating with your nervous system in order to get the muscle to naturally do it's thing. If you are lacking in mobility and balance, you will lack in strength. Strength comes from moving our body weight around with the poses. Forcing muscles to fire, contract and release. Breaking down the muscle fibers and ridding the body of toxins through sweat and other forms of excretion, only then do muscles properly ​grow. 

     So there are just a few great reasons that yoga aides in the fight against PD. But there are so many other reasons to do yoga! 

• Fat/weight loss management
• Stress management
• Compartmentlization 
• Proper breathing 
• Mood and sleep improve

As you can see yoga is beneficial for not only those who are battling an illness or disease, but for anyone who consistently sticks with it. 

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