Yoga for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Yoga is often times praised for it’s numerous health benefits, everything from keeping you limber to improving your mental state. One of the biggest advantages of yoga is that it helps improve your immune system and helps you exercise without pushing yourself too hard.

Rheumatoid arthritis restricts movement and yoga increases range of motion. Study after study have shown that exercise is beneficial to most forms of arthritis, specifically low-impact, flexibility-enhancing exercises like yoga.

Yoga comes in many forms and includes poses, breathing techniques and meditation. It has been proven to help people with arthritis improve many physical symptoms like pain and stiffness. According to the Arthritis Foundation people who practice yoga regularly can reduce joint pain and improve joint flexibility. As an added benefit, when stress and tension are lowered you can also be rewarded with better sleep.

Yoga Poses for Arthritis

There are many different poses in varying degrees of difficulty. Poses can vary from being very gentle or they can be more difficult and intense by doing more complicated poses. For those with rheumatoid arthritis, modifications may have to be made. For example, kneeling on the floor or raising your body with your arms may be difficult to do. But, by using a chair, block, strap or some other assistance aid it can be possible.

Exercise is imperative in maintaining a healthy immune system. Yoga allows you to relax and sort of meditate. This helps to relieve stress, a major factor in many people’s weakened immune system. Stress messes with your hormone levels causing your immune system to get thrown off to the point where it can’t really do its job properly. This can throw a person with rheumatoid arthritis into a flare up.

* This post may contain affiliate links for which I earn commissions.* ** All comments and recommendations are my own and should not be taken as medical advice. **

Yoga is gentle enough for most people to do every day. However, yoga classes or private instruction can get expensive. Not to mention having to get out of the house every day. DVDs allow you to practice a yoga routine in the comfort of your own home and on your own schedule. Following are some great choices.

Best Yoga Exercise Videos for Arthritis

Gentle Yoga DVD

Gentle Yoga: 7 Beginning Yoga Practices for Mid-life

This DVD was especially designed to increase strength and flexibility, balance, posture and a more relaxed body and mind for mid-lifers (40s to 70s). There are three sequences to the DVD

18-minute morning session that will awaken and energize your entire body with easy standing movements
19-minute afternoon session to relieve stress from desk and computer work
29-minute relaxing evening session to help you unwind and sleep better

Also included are three targeted sessions that will address the specific needs of mid-life:

22 minutes of poses to improve balance
34 minutes of core strength and flexibility
23 minutes of standing poses for leg and hip flexibility

There is also a 34-minute relaxing full body practice that is done lying on your back. It is perfect when you need a gentle exercise that is also effective. There is also an 8 minute guided relaxation session.

In these seven routines you will learn over 100 different poses. The poses flow seamlessly one to another at an easy to follow pace. Designed and taught by Jane Adams, RYT 500, a yoga practitioner since 1976 who specializes in yoga for healthy aging.

This is a perfect yoga DVD for beginners.

Yoga For Beginners DVD

Yoga for Beginners Deluxe 6 DVD Set: 8 Yoga Video Routines for Beginners

This set includes:

YOGA COMPLETE FOR BEGINNERS

Perfect beginners yoga DVD set for exploring and experiencing the numerous benefits of yoga
Over 50 expertly taught routines

YOGA FOR BEGINNERS DVD HIGHLIGHTS DVD

Great place to start with 8 yoga routines that are perfect for beginners
Filmed at memorizing Half-Moon Bay in Antigua

YOGA FOR STRESS RELIEF DVD

Over 20 routines that range from 15-20 minutes to address mental, emotional and physical stress
Target specific stress related issues including: general stress relief for anxiety, neck and shoulder pain; headaches lower & upper back pain, stomach and digestive issues, insomnia, depression and more
BONUS FEATURE – 30 minutes of exclusive discussion of meditation from the Dalai Lama himself.

Gentle Yoga for Every Body DVD

This DVD has specially modified poses and routines so that no matter how flexible or inflexible you are, you can experience the numerous benefits of yoga.
Arranged in 3 sections, very gentle, gentle and gentle challenge to meet your ever changing needs.
30 minute BONUS FEATURE: living compassion with the Dalai Lama

YOGA FOR WEIGHT LOSS – BEGINNERS & BEYOND DVD

12 easy to follow customized routines ranging from 15 – 60 minutes
Get toned and burn calories

Flow Yoga – Strength & Flexibility DVD

8 targeted and effective flow yoga routines
Workouts on this DVD will challenge and transform your entire body, including your core, legs, hips and arms
Will increase your strength, flexibility and energy levels all while reducing stress

ESSENTIAL YOGA FOR INFLEXIBLE PEOPLE DVD

The routines on this DVD will help anyone increase flexibility and strength while developing a calm, serene mind
Proper form is emphasized through these slower paced, flowing routines

Arthritis RX Exercise DVD

Includes three levels of workouts based on yoga and Pilates

Beginners program helps increase your flexibility
Intermediate exercises build strength
Advanced level improves your endurance
Step by step tutorial for each exercise
Includes bonus exercises for problem areas

Yoga for Arthritis by the Arthritis Foundation

Yoga for Arthritis

Anyone who is looking for a gentle exercise routine can benefit from this tape. All of the people on this tape doing the exercises have some form of arthritis. One of them also has MS and another fibromyalgia.

There are three levels shown for each of these very low-impact routines. Any of the exercises can be done from a chair so even someone in a wheelchair can do these exercises.

Best Yoga Books for Beginners

Yoga for Arthritis: The Complete Guide

Chapters are broke down focusing on each major joint
100 classical yoga poses
step by step instructions and easy-to-follow photo demonstrations

Stretching To Stay Young

Simple Workouts to Keep You Flexible, Energized, and Pain Free

All in one guide to creating a stretching regimen that will be tailor fit to your needs. Includes:

Detailed illustrations that provide visual aids for the correct positioning of your body
Easy-to-understand explanations of the cutting edge research behind each stretch and how it works
Modification tips to increase or decrease intensity levels

No matter your age or level of activity, Stretching to Stay Young, will take the confusion out of getting started and help you enjoying your program

Healing Yoga: Proven Postures to Treat Twenty Common Ailments Happy Joints: Yoga for Arthritis Handbook, 2nd Edition