Yoga/Hot Yoga for Fibro

Hi everybody! I am hoping to find some thoughts and opinions on this from fellow fibromites

I have read that yoga is one of the better exercises routines for fibro, both for the gentle stretching and meditation/mental benefits. I have definitely let fitness go by the wayside since my dx; I know for sure the extra pounds makes my IBS/anxiety worse (and probably the daily aches too), so I am hoping to make a positive change.

A lot of the local places here only offer Hot Yoga/Bikram Yoga. I am seeing mixed reviews from sites saying it is too strenuous for fibro, while some people say the heat soothes their muscles and makes it easier.

Does anyone regularly practice hot yoga, or even regular yoga? Do you prefer one to the other? Do you find that yoga helps you? In what ways? Any insight appreciated!

I am doing a few physical therapy exercises that Pt said were some basic yoga moves..my stomach area used to be gnarly with fibro knots before the slow yoga stretches, but I have noticed that I have to be careful not to over do it.

It really hurt my feelings when I was told yoga and acupuncture are the only possible treatments. So encouraging to see it in discussion here. Please update as to how it works out.

Hi,
Yoga is great for FM. Correct me if I am wrong but when you have fibro your muscles tend to be in knots and weak thus not relaxed. Yoga undo the knots, makes the muscles stronger and relaxed.
I have been practicing hot yoga for more than a year. I started with bikram , did it two times, it was way too hot, I was not able to finish the class, I walk out feeling sick and nauseous. Hot yoga was more tolerable for me, I didn't like it so much in the beginning but then I started to enjoy it. Yoga gave me more energy to get through the day, made me in a better mood, made my neck pain disappear, my knees,my biceps, my upper back less painful and strong. All the joints in my body used to ache but with yoga it got better. I used to rub bengay all over my body every night to be able to make it through the next workday, not anymore with hot yoga. I cannot tell you enough about yoga or hot yoga.
The heat though depends on how much you can take it, I guess it depends on each individual. You have to try it to be able to make a decision. But I highly recommend yoga. It is working for me 80 to 90 percent for my fibro. I don't take any medication for fibro and consider yoga my only medication.
I have to say this though and this gives me an opportunity to update everybody here about my headaches. It seems like my headaches was due to dehydration. I guess it was a combination of me not drinking a lot of water in general, plus hot yoga and the fact that I was fasting every other day. All that gave me a headache and for 7 months I have been trying to figure it out, did an MRI, acupuncture .... Until my yoga teacher told me about this app that I downloaded that reminds you to drink. I started drinking 4 to 6 bottles a day and guess what, my headaches started getting better and better. I came to forum because I needed help and advice for the headaches thinking it was maybe FM, hey Sherrine, please allow me to borrow your line, everything is not about fibro.
The bottom line is yoga is great but if you are considering hot yoga or brikam (I would advise to go with hot yoga) make sure that you drink enough water during the day and drink a lot after hot yoga and detox.
Sorry if this was too long but I meant to update all of you here about my headaches but never got a chance so here you go.
We share experiences so that other people can learn from it and hopefully help them in a way or another.
Best!

Well I'm new to yoga and have only known I had Fibro a few months. So anything I can learn is appreciated and welcomed. Thanks.

Aches.McGee said...
Hi everybody! I am hoping to find some thoughts and opinions on this from fellow fibromites

I have read that yoga is one of the better exercises routines for fibro, both for the gentle stretching and meditation/mental benefits. I have definitely let fitness go by the wayside since my dx; I know for sure the extra pounds makes my IBS/anxiety worse (and probably the daily aches too), so I am hoping to make a positive change.

A lot of the local places here only offer Hot Yoga/Bikram Yoga. I am seeing mixed reviews from sites saying it is too strenuous for fibro, while some people say the heat soothes their muscles and makes it easier.

Does anyone regularly practice hot yoga, or even regular yoga? Do you prefer one to the other? Do you find that yoga helps you? In what ways? Any insight appreciated!

While I can't speak to the merits of hot yoga, I can say that yoga has done wonders for me since I started a few months ago. If it is offered in your area, I would highly recommend a gentle, body-kindness yoga class. One of those is the Curvy Yoga series - you can find more info and certified instructors here - http://www.curvyyoga.com/. This practice has been wonderful. It is low intensity and focused on self-care and kindness. People of all shapes, ages, and abilities can be comfortable in this type of class, because it is much more focused on how you feel than whether or not you "nail" the yoga pose. Curvy yoga instructors are also trained to suggest modifications based on ability/body shape/however you're feeling that day. It's great to be able to go in and know that whatever your body and mind is able to do that day is enough.