I was formally diagnosed in May 07. I spent the first months after my diagnoses acclimating to the disease-modifying-therapy (Betaserone) and getting through the flu-like side-effects and the emotional hit of having MS finally catch me. (I previously had abnormal MRIS in 2000 and was told the lesions were most likely to be MS, but since I was asymptomatic, was neither diagnosed or treated at that time.)
Fortunately the emotional toll in 2007 did not take too long (2000 was a different story) and I decided to proactively take charge of my disease. I have always been a physically active/athletic person, but kids and career had curtailed my fitness over the years. Around December of the same year, I decided it was imperative to join a gym. I gave myself "permission" to spend the money and take the time I needed to stay healthy. Upon joining the gym, I asked for the trainer to help me develop a plan that was compatible with my diagnosis. We developed a routine that is predominantly yoga.
I now do Yoga 2-3 times a week like clock work. If I can't get the third session of Yoga in, I try to replace it with either Zumba or another class called 20-20-20. The Zumba and 20-20-20, I don't do at the same level of intensity as the other participants because it elevates my body temperature too much. I probably give it 75-80%, but Yoga I am able to do completely and I am actually able to excel at.
I am by no means a Yogi, but Yoga seems to help me build in three areas: strength, flexibility, and balance while allowing me to reduce my stress level. Two of my classes are at 6am when my body is refreshed from a full night's sleep (which I am religious about getting) and the room is cool from over-night. The room is dark and quiet. Very few people are at the gym at 5:50am, so my nervous system is not overstimulating with loud music and droves of people. And even though I only know my fellow yogis by their first names, we are a small little community gathering for 60 minutes of solitude and practice.
Yoga has been absolutely fabulous for me. I am stronger and leaner. If I miss a practice I find I really do 'miss' it. My husband started coming to yoga with me since Nov 2008. He is hooked. We have actually converted an open loft space into a home yoga studio. It is small, but it is our commitment to staying healthy and increasing the number of practices we can get in. Even just 15-20 minutes on days when there isn't much time does wonders for keeping me strong.
Tony is an Iyengar teacher,
Tony is an Iyengar teacher, which stresses proper alignment and holding poses for longer durations. His classes (Tuesdays 6:00 - 7:30pm and Saturdays 10:30 - 12:00 noon) in the Duboce park area are donation based and vary well from week to week. There is always method to the pose progressions and Tony helps students one and one to improve from whatever level you are working from.
I really like Tony's classes because they are a good medium between the phoofy (none of the 'stretch your arms up toward Shiva' business or chanting or anything) and the military boot camp classes (Tony reminds you that yoga is ultimately about calming and stilling the mind, testking 117-202 not twisting your body into a pretzel). studio address and much more. He also directs free yoga Sundays at Sports Basement (for the next 6 mos. hopefully) and teaches a Thursday night class at Club One. and what i think about tony class of yoga is "I had the pleasure of taking a yoga class with Tony the other evening. His classes are on a donation basis, testking 1Y0-264 so you're not pressured or sucked in to sign on for a bunch of classes. This isn't that kind of place. If you are a yoga novice and just want to check it out and see if you'd like doing yoga on a more regular basis, Tony is a great teacher. He is funny, compassionate, and believes in pushing people but only to the point of what they can do (don't compare yourself to others, be happy with what you can do). If you have been doing yoga for a while, Tony's classes build up to more complicated positions during each session. When I came in earlier this week, there were a couple total beginners that had never taken a class before, some intermediate or occasional yogis, and a few people that have done some form of yoga for many years. There are only a couple rules in this studio, such as asking questions whenever you feel like asking, answering yes or no questions with yes or no (not some mumbling or sound like uh huh because that could be misinterpreted and one false move and you could snap your neck kind of thing), and if you feel like chatting with your neighbor, you must do so loudly enough that everyone in the class can hear (whispering is often felt as negative even if it's not, but secrets secrets are no fun, testking 1z0-040 so laugh, sing, and be loud if you feel like it)."
I too started yoga and it is
I too started yoga and it is wonderful! I just wish that the smaller community that i live in offered more. We have quite a few studios, but most classes are during the work weekday and closed on the weekends. So there is only one class a week out of all the studios here that i can attend. I would love to come to a level where i could open up a studio of my own and even offer special yoga classes for people with MS. I have seen some studios in cities that offer those classes. i am just a beginner though, so that little dream will be years in the making. I want to start practicing my yoga at home and my goal for this long weekend is to convert a space in my bedroom to a yoga area. I would be able to do it when ever i wanted but hope i don't miss the class atmosphere that i love. I actually think a home practice would be more relaxing because i won't be self conscience as i sometimes am at class. It has definitely helped with my strength and flexibility. Not so much my balance though,as i have only been doing Yin Yoga which doesn't have any standing.
Well good luck on your journey
Meghan