Hour 77 Yoga Therapy – Parkinson’s Disease
Yoga Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurologic disorder that mostly involves motor function. Tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and postural instability are the most frequently observed symptoms in PD patients. Although medication is an important part of PD management, yoga therapy provides complementary advantages by enhancing flexibility, balance, posture, and quality of life.
Role of Yoga Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease
Yoga therapy can be a powerful tool for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. Some of the key benefits include:
Improved mobility: Yoga enhances flexibility and range of motion, helping to ease the rigidity and stiffness common in PD.
Better balance and coordination: Specific yoga practices improve proprioception, reduce falls, and enhance body awareness.
Posture improvement: PD often leads to a stooped posture; yoga helps in realigning the spine and improving posture.
Reduction of stress and anxiety: Yoga’s emphasis on mindfulness and breathing tends to soothe the nervous system, lowering the levels of anxiety.
Increased strength and endurance: Weight-bearing asanas strengthen muscles and increase endurance.
Yoga asanas may also be tailored to address the specific needs of individuals with PD, particularly based on the level of motor impairments, balance problems, and cognitive alterations.
Asanas of Recommendation for Parkinson’s Disease
The following are some of the important yoga poses (asanas) that are helpful for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease:
1. Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
Importance: This standing pose assists with posture, balance, and awareness.
Instructions:
Stand with feet hip-width apart and arms by your sides.
Press your feet into the ground and contract your leg muscles.
Open your chest and reach the top of your head towards the ceiling.
Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute with deep, steady breaths.
Modifications: Take support of the wall or a chair, if balance is a problem.
2. Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)
Meaning: Activates the hips and lower back and increases flexibility of the spine to overcome rigidity.
Procedure:
Lie supine with the knees flexed and feet placed hip-width apart on the ground.
Position arms along the sides of the body with palms downwards.
Push feet firmly onto the floor and try to lift hips upward while squeezing glutes.
Hold for 15-30 seconds and then slowly lower the hips back down to the floor.
Modifications: Support the hips with a block or cushion if necessary.
3. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
Importance: Opens the chest, strengthens the back, and reverses the rounded shoulders that are characteristic of PD.
Instructions:
Lie on stomach with arms extended and palms under shoulders.
Breathe in and slowly raise your head and chest off the ground by pushing into your hands.
Keep elbows slightly bent, activate your core, and do not strain the lower back.
Hold for 15-20 seconds and slowly release.
Modification: If it is difficult to lift the chest, keep your elbows bent and lift only the upper torso.
4. Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)
Significance: Increases flexibility in the spine and legs, improves balance, and extends the hips and shoulders.
Instructions:
Stand with your feet apart and raise your arms to the sides.
Turn your right foot outward and left foot inward.
Breathe in and elongate the spine, exhale as you reach your right hand down toward the floor, or block, and lift your left arm up.
Gaze to the left hand and maintain for 20-30 seconds.
Variations: For individuals with balance problems, put a block under the bottom hand or do the pose with assistance from a wall.
5. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose)
Meaning: This inversion pose stretches the spine, hamstrings, calves, and shoulders, promoting flexibility and posture.
Instructions:
Begin in tabletop position with hands directly under shoulders and knees under hips.
Lift the hips to the ceiling, straighten the legs, and push the heels to the floor.
Reach the chest forward to the thighs and extend the spine.
Hold for 20-30 seconds while taking in the breath.
Modifications: If the full pose is difficult, bend the knees or leave the feet on the ground for support.
Precautions and Modifications for Parkinson’s Disease
Work in comfort ranges: Parkinson’s Disease strikes everyone in a different manner, so it’s best to do yoga in one’s range of movement.
Use props: Props such as blocks, straps, or chairs can assist, particularly in the case of those with balance or flexibility constraints.
Modify standing postures: For persons who have little balance, use a chair to support or stand in a wall direction.
Attention to breath: Breathing is important in yoga, and controlled breathing techniques such as Ujjayi Pranayama(victorious breath) may enhance lung function and reduce the nervous system.
Slow and deliberate: Practice the poses slowly and with concentration. People with PD can have issues with speedy motions, so moving slowly is sometimes needed in order to ensure efficacy and safety.
Conclusion
Yoga therapy has the potential to be a powerful complementary treatment for people with Parkinson’s Disease. It aids in enhancing mobility, balance, and mental health as well as in decreasing rigidity and tremors. By working on precise asanas, breathing control, and conscious movement, people with PD can have better quality of life. The practitioners must consult certified yoga therapists who can modify the poses according to the unique needs and capabilities of each individual, making the practice safe as well as rewarding.