Yoga?

When I was marathon training, I tried to be pretty consistent with yoga to help loosen up my really tight hamstrings. I had tried it a few times before, but I didn't really get that much out of it. Then I tried it with a new instructor at our gym, and she was awesome. It can be a very difficult, but it's very rewarding and I liked that I felt like I was doing something good for my body, instead of feeling like I beat it into the ground (like from running.)

I would definitely start out with an instructor, and give it a few times, even if you don't feel like you're getting much out of it at first. Plus, as with any exercise, be careful. Before my diagnosis I had SI joint pain, which I later found out was from Crohn's. I tried to do yoga poses for that, but I ended up making it worse. So obviously, just listen to your body, and if you have an injury, I would talk to the instructor about certain poses to avoid so that you don't aggravate it any further.

Good luck, hope you like it!

I did Pilates for a while and it was good but I like doing my cardio and weightlifting more...there are so many forms of yoga I'm sure you'll find a few that will best suite you and you can always adjust according to the severity of your flares too, it's always better to do something than nothing at all.

:)

I had to stop yoga when my Crohn's was bad. The twist stretches especially hurt my stomach. If you keep your moves simple, it should be ok (downward dog, eagle pose, etc.). When I stopped yoga, I started taking a basic adult ballet class which I loved! It was really relaxing and good exercise.

Another suggestion that may sound silly, but I really have enjoyed my Wii Fit. It keeps me active and amused in thee comfort of my own home.

Hmmm...well, it's a good thing they're only smoking cigarettes eh??? Or maybe not?? LOL!

:)

Try a beginners or gentle yoga class to start. They are usually very easy on the body and very relaxing. I wish I could afford to regularly go to yoga classes, as I find the class environment much more soothing than yoga on DVD. But definitely still worth it to get a DVD if you aren't able to go to a class.
I also have really noticed a correlation to my CD and stress, so I think yoga could be beneficial in that sense too-- it's a great stress reliever. Now I'm feeling inspired to get back into yoga myself!

I go to power yoga at least 5 days a week. I love it and it keeps me sane while dealing with the stress of law school. But I don't think I could have done it if I wasn't currently in remission. Power yoga is definitely a work out and it's in a heated room so you're sweating a lot. But it's so much fun and I love the studio I go to. But if I was still dealing with active flares I don't think I could handle it. So I think the suggestion of using tapes and doing gentle yoga postures at home is a good one. It will still get you in the practice of doing yoga and it's a nice way to get out of your head for a bit. And hopefully when you start feeling better you can venture out and find a class. But until then don't try and push too hard on your body.