1. Understand How Yoga Can Help
Fibromyalgia is a form of arthritis that causes widespread pain and tenderness throughout the body. It can lead to fatigue, loss of sleep, interruption in normal daily activities, numbness in the fingers and toes, and memory loss. Fibromyalgia can go on for years undiagnosed and there is still no clear understanding of this condition.
Practicing yoga can help you learn techniques that can help. Yoga will teach you how to gently stretch your muscles relieving chronic tension and pain. When dealing with chronic pain, there is a tendency to hold the body tight and rigid to protect against more pain. However this only further tightens the muscles. In yoga we are taught to take deep calming breaths and to let go of holding or tension in the body.
Another important concept in yoga is learning to listen to and honor our bodies needs. As we become better at this, we learn to stretch in a way that helps to release tension. You will learn how far you can challenge your body without aggravating your symptoms. Secondly, as we learn where we are holding tension when on the yoga mat, we will also learn when we are holding tension in our daily lives. As you continue to practice yoga, you will find yourself making adjustments throughout the day to relax your shoulders, jaw or back. With continued practice you can learn to recognize when you are beginning to tense your body and you will know techniques to let go of that tension before the pain becomes worse.
2. Find a Qualified Teacher
While there are many great books and videos on yoga, it is important to begin your practice in person with a well-trained teacher. This will ensure that you are performing the postures correctly and not putting your joints at risk for injury. By practicing with an instructor, you can also learn how to adjust common postures so they are appropriate for your level and needs. A yoga instructor can help you learn to use props such as blocks, blankets and bolsters that can provide relief to tense and tights muscles. Once you become familiar with the best way to practice yoga for your body, then look into tapes, videos and articles as you will now know how to avoid potential triggers and get the mist from your practice.
3. Practice Shavasana Regularly
Shavasana is the yoga word for relaxation. In yoga we learn the importance of balancing work with rest. After you have completed your yoga practice, it is common to lie down in Shavasana and let the body complete rest and restore itself. You can also practice it at anytime, not just after yoga. Find a comfortable place to lie down and let the body completely relax. If your back is sensitive, try placing a pillow under your knees. If you neck is sore place, support there as well. Some people also enjoy placing pillows under their arms to let the shoulder and elbow joints rest as well. The idea is to remove any tension or holding in the body. Put on some quiet music if that helps and just take time to completely relax by focusing on your slow deep breathing and letting your body sink into relaxation. If possible, try to do Shavasana for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
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