Yoga in Rheumatoid Arthritis How?

Mr Jayaram, a 28 year-old unmarried young man was admitted to Prasanti Kutiram with marked pain and inflammation in multiple joints. A typical symmetrical distribution of small followed by bigger joints, exhaustion, general debility and weight loss was the picture of his Rheumatoid Arthritis. Blood tests showed a positive rheumatoid factor with high ESR of greater than 100mm in the first hour.

We had to work with very few physical practices, a lot of relaxation and Nadanusandhana. After the first week he started moving around in the wheel chair with an attendant. It took almost 6 weeks for him to build up his stamina, loosen the joints, reduce the inflammation and reduce his medication.

SPECIAL TECHNIQUES

FULL BUTTERFLY

Sthiti: Dandasana

Practice

• Bend both the knees, draw the legs along the ground, to bring the soles of the feet to press each other and the heels touch the perineum.

• Completely relax the inner thigh muscles.

Stage - I (Clasping the feet with the hands)

• Clasp the feet with the fingers.

• Now gently bounce the knees up and down.

• Try to touch the knees to the ground on the downward stroke with normal breathing.

• Practice thirty to fifty up and down movements.

Stage - I I (Hands on the knees)

• Place the hands on the knees.

• Using the palms, gently push the knees down towards the ground, allowing them to spring up again.

• Normal breathing.

• Repeat twenty to thirty times.

• Straighten the legs and relax.

Note

• Do not force the movements.

• Try to keep the back, neck and head straight.

• Also keep the trunk steady during the practice.