Case Studies - Circulatory Conditions
How Yoga Practice Benefits its Practitioners with Circulatory Conditions.Yoga Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation
I’m giving away a free yoga lesson this evening as part of a charity event to raise money for the recently formed Neath and Port Talbot Stroke Group .
I’ve put together a very brief summary of how yoga can help with stroke recovery and rehabilitation based on research undertaken in America and Australia.
Benefits of yoga for stroke recovery
In stroke survivors yoga appears to have a particular benefit in teaching body awareness, focus and a general sense of well-being.
Yoga practice improved motor function and balance in stroke survivors.
Yoga can be more therapeutic than traditional exercise because of the combination of postures, breathing and meditation may produce different effects than simple exercise.
Yoga can help stroke survivors feel more confidence of being more mobile. These are very meaningful changes in life for people.
Research Studies looking at stroke survivors starting yoga have demonstrated :-
- with some assistance, even chronic stroke patients with significant paralysis on one side can manage to do modified yoga poses.
- improvements in physical function in most participants
- overwhelming emotional and mental benefits
- reduction in depression
- improvement in concentration and alertness
- reduction in ‘limb neglect’ – ignoring a weak or less functioning part of the body.
Testimonials from research studies in USA & Australia.
“At the start yoga helped me to relax but the ongoing effects have been sharper focus and a mental clarity that I haven’t had for years.” Nadia Stroke Survivor.
“After starting yoga my mental and emotional health, my quality of life improved. I have more acceptance of the stroke and its effects, to the point where I stopped antidepressant medication and I haven’t returned to them.” Mrs Immink, Stroke Survivor.
To find out more, read a previous post I wrote linking to the Stroke Association.