Do any of you use Yoga as well?

Sorry for all the posts, guys and gals. I messed up and my doc appt. is NEXT Monday and not today, but I'm sort of glad because I have been doing yoga and keeping perfect track of what I eat. It seems to be making me feel so much better, as far as I am not worried about anything, almost, at all.

Now, I know my (possibly) more minor colitis (he said it was "throughout" so the flare was bad) is nothing compared to what many of you are having, but still in my specific situation the yoga has helped me just put a pause on stresses. I am not normally a stressed guy, but I was always thinking about 40 years down the road or something. Turns out it was effecting my digestion -- at least I feel that way.

Have many of you used yoga for a destresser? As soon as I did it, I felt amazing. When I wake up, I cannot wait to do it again. The moves are very low impact and easy to do, but I found a great kit that allows you to work your way up in difficulty if you feel like it. I've done the second stage of it, and after the 40 minutes I feel amazing.

So, what do you think? How much does stress really effect how we digest/feel when we are having a flare or even normally? Again, I am not trying to downplay how bad some of you have it -- just wondering if yoga or any other similar thing has helped any of you?

Beau

This is the little kit I bought:

http://www.amazon.com/Gaiam-Yoga-For-Beginners-Kit/dp/B001J2XRPI/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1298917967&sr=8-8

It's really basic, and for the record I have always been small and flexible from 23 years of drumming. So, it isn't that much of a stretch. But when you read about how yoga affects different areas of the brain because it is not a competitive or confrontative (sp?) type of exercise, it makes sense as to why I feel so incredible after.

I'm not sure what kind of yoga it is I'm doing, but it's a blend I am thinking.

Again, I want to stress that I have never had much pain or discomfort and obviously am not at the level that some of you are, so I will not pretend that yoga is some magic cure-all for everyone. Just pointing out that, for stress relief mainly, yoga has made an amazing difference to me. It can be done at any level or age and any uncomfortable or hard poses can be skipped. The stretching alone is worth it! :)

Beau

Yes, I do yoga. In fact, I'm a certified yoga instructor. I find the breathing exercises to be especially helpful for relieving stress. I also make sure to breath correctly when doing the asanas, and I do breathing meditations.

In regards to IBD, yoga hasn't really benefited me much; however, that could be because my IBD is bacterial related. If it was stress related, then I'd think it be of much more benefit.

Thanks guys.

I haven't drummed in over a year, mainly because my old band broke up. But, it was sort of a nice break since I had toured and partying and driving an hour to play for 45 minutes for 200 bucks wasn't as glamorous anymore! lol

I am open to the fact that the medication is doing the work, as well. I meet with him next Monday and will discuss how I will keep myself feeling well when I am not on the Pred. I am hoping that between diet, exercise and other techniques I can keep it under control. In fact, I just found out the other day (talking to my mother on the phone) that my 86 year old Grandmother has UC and has had it for years, using different methods to keep it under control, mostly.

Thanks guys, for now I am concentrating on a day at time -- which feels nice for once. lol Normally I am freaking about whta I will feel like or be doing in 20 years! lol

Beau