Yoga and pilates? Does anyone do them?

[lovemy6monkeys]

I've searched through the forum and read lots of posts about exercising with MS. I'm at the point where I need to do something. I have 30 pounds (at least!) to lose.

We do have an elliptical in the house. It has always "kicked my butt" and I've never been able to go for longer then 15 minutes, even way before I started showing MS symptoms.

I also have a balance ball and one of those pilates bars with the resistance bands.

In other words...I have no real excuse for not doing *something*.

My mom just gave me a DVD for the balance ball the uses yoga and pilates moves, and I believe a bit of cardio. I'm hoping to do that daily. I'm also hoping to use the elliptical daily but might wait a bit before I tackle that one.

For those of you that do yoga and/or pilates...will they help with weight loss?
Thanks for your thoughts! I hope everyone is having a great Sunday :-)
~Jess

[Fluffysmom]

I've been going to a Gentle Yoga for People with MS class once a week, and I love it.  I feel stronger and more flexible.  I was losing weight until things got tough, and I've been eating a bit too much chocolate (in too many forms, ha ha).

I still feel physically better and know that once things even out in my life, the weight will come off again.

I received a My MS Yoga DVD from the MyMSYoga website sponsered by Biogen Idec, but I haven't watched it or done the exercises from it yet.  I think others on here have received it and actually used it.  I'll check mine out soon; I'd like to do yoga more than once a week.

[Ufrustrated2]

i do some simple yoga poses and stretches at home. it helps me, at the least mentally.

this ms thing, has my body/mind on a sine wave pattern. so exercising and such comes and goes.

that is, what used to be a very consistent and constant, over the years now has periods where i get back in the swing and periods where i'm just a fatigued, a bit wobbly, a bit weak, etc homebody.

ANY exercise is good for humans! i prefer the water but yoga is great to keep the tendons and muscles strong

[Mand125]

Hi Addi

(Sorry Jess if I am hijacking this post).  

I look up stuff from my phone but can't cope with typing into it - apart from sms texts. That is probably why I have become more of a lurker on this forum. When I see something I want to comment on I have to boot up my laptop and  am usually way too lazy.

Be careful of those door jams.

Mand

[addicted2harleys]

and google what???  lol  Doing web stuff on my phone does not agree with my eyes!  lol  I have double vision so I need the letters BIG.  

What is funny with this is when I try to move around my house on my scooter and pick the *wrong* image and smack into the door jam.  lol  Lots of &%$# and &#$* and my mom asking if I picked the wrong picture again!

Addi

[Mand125]

Looks like I'm not :)

Mand

[Mand125]

Addi

Since I got my new smart phone and can do it from the comfort of my armchair I have become a bi tof a google ***** (am I allowed to say that? we'll see).

Mand

[RedFlame]

I stretch 4-5 times a day which really helps with pain control

Before I started having symptoms, I took pilates and yoga classes occasionally.

It would be awesome to have a Reformer in the house.  

I should look into this

[addicted2harleys]

Thanks, Mand!  I suppose I could just google it, huh?  Whenever I hear the word I am not at the computer and then forget to look it up when I am at the computer.  lol

Addi - gonna go find me a pilate web site

[Mand125]

Hi Addi, as far as I can see it is a method of physical exercise involving stretches and breathing that focus on strengthening the abdominal core.

- I had to google it to get a proper explanation! I always thought it was based on yoga but I'm not sure.

Mand

[addicted2harleys]

I feel like such a moron for asking this question, but at least you all can't see me blush....what the heck is a Pilate??

I have wondered that for a while now...

Red-faced Addi

[Khiba]

Pilates is my thing! I am lucky to have a "reformer" machine at my house and a friend who comes to train me once a week. It has done wonders for keeping my strength up and helps also with stretching and I an lie on my back for a lot of the exercises. I don't have problems with balance when laying down. LOL.

I would recommend pilates highly as it concentrates on core muscles that help control everything else. With a strong core, its amazing how much better I feel and move around. Even with spastic legs, I still have good strength and tone and do not fall when wobbling around. It is also good for breathing deeply while you exercise sending oxygen to those recalcitrant muscles.

Jessica

[Sparkysarah]

I also need to lose some weight, love chocolate and admit that exercise is not my thing. I know that no-one can do this for me so my doctor has given me exercise on prescirption and I am gong for a consultaiton next week to try and encourage me to get off my butt also. So girl let's go for it... I think swimming is more my thing but I have tried Pilates before and it was very good for my back

Love Sarah x

[essdipity]

I absolutely recommend both yoga and pilates if you can do them.

Had to quit yoga myself because my balance was so poor. Even holding on to a chair wasn't enough. (It also didn't help that the 5 or 6 others in my class were half my age and could twist themselves into pretzels.)

I liked pilates a lot more. The trouble there, for me, was that my poor hip flexor strength made my legs ache constantly, 24/7.

Yes, these are just excuses, I know. I too really need to get back on the straight and narrow and start exercising again, which is something I did regularly for many years. Now I feel like an out-of-shape blimp.

One thing I recommend--try for a good PT evaluation first. That could guide you into the right type of exercise for you, which would help keep you motivated.

ess

[lovemy6monkeys]

Ok...so, I just need to get off my lazy butt and try to get some exercise! It's either that or give up chocolate. And giving up chocolate is not an option LOL

I guess today begins my weight loss journey.
~Jess

[Guitar_grrrl]

I've been practicing Yoga since I was 12 - long before I was diagnosed with MS.  I still keep up with as much as I can.  I've done 6 week series of Pilates after injuring my back a few years ago, and found it very helpful.  My husband has practiced Yoga with me for the last 20 years.  
We find ourselves stretchier, stronger (well, not me anymore...) and WAY happier.

Namaste,
Guitar_grrrl

[siv1]

Being born in asia, Yoga is a everyday of my life until i left the country. It helped me stay in fit. even after i quit doing it, i was fluctuating between 116 lbs  & 118lbs for over 20yrs(did ran marathon for 12yrs while not doing yoga).
just last 10yrs, i've gained almost 40lbs with steroids from asthma treatments.

So i would say yoga does helps you stay fit especially mentally.

[HVAC]

Yes and I find them very helpful. My MS Society even had a $200 Scholarship to fitness class of your choice so I took a  yoga class for several months at no cost to me.

I have ball but it is not round but sort of cylindrical it helps with keeping me from falling with my vertigo.

Alex