Yoga, Dance, and other forms of exercise and recreation
Three stories about people taking on physically and emotionally challenging adventures. Joe Akmakjian, who lives with Spinal Muscle Atrophy (SMA), is the first adult MDA National Ambassador. Joe celebrated his 24th birthday by jumping out of a plane with friends. Nancy, after surgery and treatment for ovarian cancer, trained for an AIDS ride and moved on to compete in triathalons. Rob Besecker decided to celebrate his recovery after a series of cardiac surgeries by climbing Mount Everest.
Jivana Heyman — registered yoga therapist and teacher — talks about the origin of the Accessible Yoga organization and the upcoming conferences in New York and San Francisco. Want to know what Accessible yoga is all about? Tune in to find out more.
During our conversation Jivana mentions Dean Ornish’s book, Love and Survival: 8 Pathways to Intimacy and Health. Why not buy it now?
In this episode my guest, Murali Ventkatrao, discusses the yogic perspective on health and current scientific research exploring how yoga, pranayama (breathing), and meditation affect human physiology and has the potential to treat many pervasive diseases.
For additional information about Murali and an introductory webinar delving deeper into the science of yoga, visit the Ananda Institute.
What type of resolutions might someone with muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease have for the new year? In this episode you’ll hear from several people living with chronic health conditions. Find out more about the role dance plays in Mindy’s life and swimming in Mike’s life from their participation at recent conference panel sessions.
You’ll be learning about the ancient practice of Qigong in this podcast episode. Paul Robison – licensed acupuncture practitioner – explains qigong as a longevity exercise. Barbara finds her qigong practice helpful with symptoms from chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. And Nicole Stone, my qigong teacher, brings a background of dance, yoga, and meditation to her medical qigong practice.
For additional information check out the National Qigong Association.
What is yoga therapy? This podcast episode explores the question as it applies to people with chronic health conditions and most specifically those undergoing or post-cancer treatment. Cheryl Fenner Brown, a yoga therapist, talks about her work with the Cancer Support Community and the research project which helps frame the training she does with yoga teachers and health care practitioners.
To find a yoga therapist in your community, check this website.
Those are the words of a young man who has faced many health challenges. Paul Robison, L.Ac., shares his personal story of achieving health and eventually becoming an acupuncturist and herbalist.
You can find Paul at the Washington, DC integrative practice Capital Center. To locate a licensed acupuncturist in your area, please consult these organizations: National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia, or American Association of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine.
Retired Navy Lieutenant Laura Root — diagnosed with myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) — talks about her current work with wounded warriors as a Level 3 Shooting Coach and mentor.
Urban Zen integrates the practices of Reiki, aromatherapy, body scans, breath awareness, and movements/restoratives to initiate self-care and healing. In a conversation with Valerie Jew, I learn how these modalities can help not just people with chronic health conditions but caregivers as well as health care providers.
You can visit the Urban Zen Foundation website to learn more about this program.
Valerie recommends the following books to learn more about any of the specific modalities used:
Any body can do yoga. With teachers like JoAnn Lyons of the Piedmont Yoga Community making it possible, that is.
In this conversation JoAnn mentions different styles of yoga — Iyengar, Integral, Vedanta, and Sivananda. Check out these links if you want to learn more but this podcast is geared toward anyone with either an advanced or limited understanding of yoga.
For those wanting to know more about yoga for people with disabilities, JoAnn recommends the books Recovery Yoga and Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis.
Here are two books with great illustrations of people doing yoga using chairs: All I need is this Chair Yoga and A Chair for Yoga: A complete guide to Iyengar yoga practice with a chair.
Additional resources include the International Association for Yoga Therapists (this is where I search for yoga instructors in locations outside of the SF Bay Area) and the Accessible Yoga Conference.
Matthew Sanford is an inspirational yoga instructor who shares his personal story of surviving a car accident as a teenager in his book, Waking: A Memoir of Trauma and Transcendence.