Yoga for Arthritis – The Evidence and the Promise

Arthritis

Arthritis affects one in five adults in the U.S and is the nation’s leading cause of disability. It is a complex family of over 100 musculoskeletal disorders that result in deterioration of joints, bones, muscles, cartilage and/or other connective tissues, creating challenges for everyday movement. Arthritis can affect people of all ages. Two-thirds of people with arthritis are under the age of 65, including 300,000 children with autoimmune forms of arthritis.

The number of people suffering from arthritis is projected to soar within the next 20 years to an estimated 67 million Americans. People with arthritis who exercise regularly have less pain, more energy, and improved sleep. However, ironically, because of the pain associated with movement, arthritis is also one of the most common reasons for limiting physical activity.

A regular yoga practice can increase muscle strength and endurance, proprioception, and balance, and the emphasis on mindful movement through a full range of motion can be particularly beneficial for arthritis sufferers. Additional beneficial elements of yoga include breathing, relaxation, body awareness, and meditation, which can reduce stress and anxiety and promote a sense of calmness, general well-being, and improved quality of life.

In this course, yoga therapist and arthritis researcher Steffany Moonaz will provide an in-depth understanding of what predisposes people for arthritis, and the role yoga might play in prevention and management of this painful condition. Dr. Moonaz will discuss the research evidence for the effects of yoga on arthritis and how yoga practice can be modified for commonly affected joints, or changes in disease severity.

What You Will Learn

  • What arthritis is and which factors predispose us for this condition as we get older
  • Most common treatments for arthritis and why yoga makes sense as part of arthritis management
  • Overview of the research evidence supporting the benefits of yoga for arthritis
  • Essential things any yoga teacher must know when teaching yoga to someone suffering from arthritis
  • How to understand the different musculoskeletal needs and mechanics of arthritis sufferers
  • Modifications and props for commonly affected joints
  • How to set up the best teaching situation for people with arthritis and teach effectively to classes with mixed abilities

This Course Also Includes:

  • Yoga Practice:  Enjoy a 30 minute yoga practice with Steffany illustrating how to tailor a yoga practice to people with arthritis to ensure that the practice offers the most rewards while keeping students safe.
  • Recordings of Both Sessions: Yours to keep. It’s generally acknowledged that many people only retain 10-20 percent of what they learn in a workshop. You will get the recordings of both sessions (MP3 – downloadable & MP4 – streaming online), enabling you to go back and listen to the workshop as many times as you like.
  • Transcripts of Both Sessions: Ever wanted to refer to a certain part of a course? Even the best note takers miss a point every so often. With the transcripts of the sessions, you can go back and refer to particularly important passages or clarify sections you were in doubt about.

This course qualifies for 2.5 CEs with Yoga Alliance.

 

Steffany Moonaz, PhD, RYT 500 is a yoga therapist and researcher in Baltimore, MD. Dr. Moonaz spent  8 years at Johns Hopkins University, creating and evaluating a yoga program for individuals with chronic diseases. 

$127/ Lifetime Access

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