Happy National Yoga Awareness Month
September is National Yoga Awareness Month, and it’s a great opportunity to learn about how yoga can help you manage both the physical and mental stress of chronic illness. And once you know the facts, consider signing up for a class or looking up some beginners’ poses online.
The Benefits of Yoga for Chronic Illness
While yoga has many physical benefits — including increased strength, flexibility and coordination, better body awareness, and increased immune system function — many of most powerful benefits for those with from chronic illness are psychological.
People with chronic conditions who have a regular yoga practice report lower levels of stress, higher quality of life, and less fatigue. Those reports are backed up by studies reporting lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Yoga is Accessible at Any Level
One of the great things about yoga is that it’s accessible for almost everyone. Even if you’re wheelchair bound, there are still alternative forms of yoga to try, such as Chair Yoga.
Depending on your current level of mobility and fitness, there are many different styles of yoga to choose from. Beginners can try a short gentle yoga sequence, while those looking for a true challenge (with the guidance of your healthcare provider) can attempt bikram or hot yoga.
Classes are a great option, but there are also plenty of videos online (youtube is a good resource) not to mention a slew of DVD options.
If you already know your yoga poses pretty well, you can even build your own yoga sequences based on what you’re trying to accomplish.
Chronic Condition Treatment at IVX Health
If your chronic condition treatment regimen includes biologic infusion or injection treatments such as Remicade or Ocrevus, consider IVX Health for your care. We offer appointments that fit your schedule (days, evenings and weekends) in comfortable private suites so you can enjoy your time while receiving treatment. If you’re ready to experience how we are redefining care for patients with chronic conditions, contact us to schedule an appointment at one of our many convenient locations.