b'Health and WellnessPPaaiinnaannddEExxeerrcciisseeFocusing on what you can do, having a positive attitude is crucial By Chris HudspethShould you experience an exacerbation,component of yoga is breathing evenly, without the health benets you have gained throughstrain. You may wish to focus on controlling even the simplest exercise program mayyour breathing, called pranayama, or practice enableyoutomanagethepainbetter.Aa combination of pranayama, meditation, and sedentary lifestyle, along with poor posturethe spiritual aspects of yoga. Many people andineffectivebreathing,mayincreaseexperience increased energy soon after starting fatigue, depression, and muscle weakness.even the most basic yoga program. It is safe, Before you invest any time or money ineffective, and can be easily modied for those classes, shoes, or exercise attire, see what thein wheelchairs. program entails. If you are interested, talkAs you progress, you may practice asanas to your doctor or physical therapist forappropriate to your bodys therapeutic needs, suggestions on the best way to begin yourwhile continually incorporating deeper, more exerciseprogram,andalwaysletyourbenecial breathing that will soon spill over instructor know you have MS.into your daily life. In previous studies, yoga T has demonstrated benecial effects on MS TyyppeessooffEExxeerrcciissee and cognition. There is a type of yoga that is Choosing an exercise program is a personalsuitable for all ability levels. The many benets choice and is different from physical therapy.of yoga include increased body awareness, Choosing something long-term that you feelspasticityrelief,increasedcoordination, you are able to stick with and enjoy doing willincreased exibility and strength, diminished help on days where motivation might befatigue, increased heat tolerance, improved lacking. Whether you choose yoga, Tai chi,circulation and breathing, improved bowel dance, or a mix of exercises, adaptations areand bladder function, enhanced alertness, always available to keep you moving. stress reduction, and an overall feeling of Y well-being. Yooggaa ThheeAAlleexxaannddeerrTTeecchhnniiqquueeYoga combines posesT(asanas in Sanskrit), deepThe Alexander Technique, developed by breathing, and relaxation.Frederick Alexander, can improve your freedom Hatha yoga is designed forofmovement,balance,andcoordination. relaxing and releasing deepPracticedbydancersandactorsformore bodytension.Aprimarythan a century, the Alexander Technique msfocusmagazine.org 16'