Restorative Yoga For Fibromyalgia
Exercise for fibromyalgia that allows you to lay in comfortable positions for long time periods. Does it get any better that that? Does it really help?
Restorative Yoga gives you a nice supportive block under your lower back and a lovely rug over your body and shoulders to keep you feeling safe, relaxed and warm! Doesn’t this gentle exercise that soothes sections of your body that are in pain sound amazing?
Well that is what restorative yoga is all about! Because of its extremely gentle nature, it is also commonly called ‘active relaxation’ and can be highly beneficial to those suffering from Fibromyalgia symptoms, chronic fatigue, stress or injury.
Restorative yoga is different than other forms of Yoga, as it doesn’t mimic a cardio workout and it does not include holding yoga positions that can be to hard for those suffering with fibro. When taking a restorative yoga class some things to expect are spending extended periods of time lying on blocks, blankets and yoga bolsters. These are all designed helping to keep the postures as low impact and relaxing as possible.
Restorative yoga is an great option to consider for anyone that wishes to allow their body time to actively relax, heal and restore itself from the daily stresses of life and illness. If you are thinking about joining a class, you can usually expect a supportive and non-judgmental environment, where all levels of ability are welcomed. However, make sure to do your research and maybe see if you can find recommendations from family and friends.
If you are already participating in Yoga or just about to try it out. I would love to hear your thoughts and results in the comments below!
About Author
Ryan Tomlinson | Website | Twitter
I am a Father of 2 wonderful boys and husband to my beautiful wife. My wife was Assessed with fibromyalgia and has been in a lot of pain. I started this blog as place to share my research on fibro diets and treatments. We have decided not to claim this condition and try to beat it naturally. The site is for me and my family just as much as it is for you. I hope these articles help in some small way!
I tried everything u can think of for this horrible disorder! Last weekend i tried a restorative yoga workshop and i had no relief. How long does one need to take these classes to notice a difference? I am a single mom to a five year old and im struggling really bad with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.
Hey Melissa,
First I am so sorry that you are having to deal with this syndrome. You raise a great questions about whether you should continue with Restorative Yoga if you haven’t seen the benefits on the first session. Unfortunately, I don’t know the correct answer to this. The blog is my attempt to research as many options for treatment and diet for fibro as I can to try to help my wife. I actually just found out about Restorative yoga myself so and my wife hasn’t had a chance to try it out yet.
From the initial research prior to writing this particular post it did seam like this yoga class has seemed to make small improvements. However, with fibro everyone is different. The symptoms and level of those symptoms are vary different for each person. So there is a chance that this class isn’t a solution for you. I am not a doctor and can’t give you perfect advice, however I would tell my wife this:
If it didn’t make anything worse on the first try, I would continue and see if it starts to help. Give it a few more tries.
Hope you find things that do work for you. I have a 4 and 6 year old my self and I know how much you want to spend as much time with them as you can. I hope you don’t mind but I will lift you up in prayer right now. Hopefully some of the other blog posts might give you some ideas as well. The whole goal is to try to find different things that could help different people with FMS and other related disorders.
Hang in there!
Hi. this is my first time reading your blog or replying. I know that sometimes with yoga, it can help a lot, do nothing or make it hurt worse. I have found that the pain can settle in various places, move around, so the poses that help one, may not help another. Plus when you are stretching muscles that you haven’t stretched in a while, because your in pain, it can still hurt just from the new stretch. So keep in mind to stretch, but No new pain, and each day you should be able to get more benefit. Target the areas that hurt, every other day, and try to gently stretch areas that don’t hurt on those opposite days. (everything is connected) and you don’t need to stretch as far as the pictures in some yoga books or videos show, just do what you can. Iyengar
sorry, if I stop to long it won’t let me continue. I was trying to check the spelling of Iyengar, which I think is correct. He developed a style of yoga that uses props such as the one that was used for this blog on pintrest. it is very helpful, and gives some relief, but supports you as well. Don’t give up and try different poses.
I have fibro and rhumatiod arthritas i am 30 years old and have 6 children do you think this is some thing i could try i am sick of taking meds there making me soo sick some times im having days were i just cant do any thing im so exausted all the time i really need some help i have constant tummy pains every bone hurts when one of the kids touch me this condition is driving me insane to the point i dont no why i have been put on this stupid planet this cold weather is making the pain so much more painful i just feel soo low i cant go out any were as i have to use a wheel chair as my spine and hips knees and ankles hurt every time i walk my spine is the worst but then with the artritas theres not one part of me that dont swell up
Hello Maria,
Thanks for the comment. First, no that you are not alone, there are so many out there feeling the same way. In regards to trying restorative yoga, I am not a Doctor but it has seemed to help a good number of people.
It might be a little different since you rely on a wheel chair and with your intense swelling, it might be wise to talk with your Doctor about it first. However, if he/she approves you giving it a try I don’t see why not since it is really low impact and basically resting in yoga type positions. I would assume if you can lay down on your own you could probably give it try.
More than anything since starting this site I have really come to realize how different this condition is for everyone. What helps some might not help someone else. What one can do another might not be able to do. So listen to your body and use common sense. If you try it a couple times and for some reason your pain sky rockets instead of it being a peaceful and beneficial process for you then it probably is not for you.
May I ask what else you have tried as far as treatments? I know you mentioned you are on some medications, but have you tried changing your diet at all or taking any herbs or natural things?
Have fibro pngst other things. Do a laptop yoga. Try a type called ‘Yin’ yoga wherein u hold passive relaxing poses for 2 minutes minimum. Can even be done in front off tv or listening to music. Must be at least 2 minutes each pose. After 2 minutes physical changes occur at cellular level. Excellent book ‘the complete guide to yin yoga’ by Bernie Clark available on Amazon contains science on first half and Yin poses second half. Another excellent book ‘Anatomy of Yoga’ by Abigail Ellsworth shows in great drawing ins which muscles r worked or stretched u would just have to pick out passive stretching postures. Yoga won’t cure u but the right kind can all alleviate pain. Excuse typos such as laptop for type in top line. Hands r bad and autocorrect is also doing its thing. Be careful w classes as many teachers don’t know anything about fibro and will tell u to power thru. Stick to Yin until u’ve shown some stable improvement. If u do painful yoga u will have rebound pain following days. Look up FB page Chonic Pain Info which is really supportive and allows u to ask questions. Yin yoga takes time. Remember no shorter than 2 minutes relaxed into passive pose and breath. ‘yoga happens on the exhale’.
Hey Dawn,
Thanks for sharing and don’t worry about typos. I have them everyday
I think the thing to remember is to start out slow with any type of exercise and only do what you can don’t push yourself. Start out eith gentle stretches, that is about all I can do right, you are not alone.
What has helped me is to think how lucky I am. I have 3 beautiful children, a great son in law who takes good care of his family and I have a wonderful Grandson and a husband who is very good to me.
I try to put a smile on my face which greatly helps with my attitude and also the pain.
What a great attitude of gratitude to have. I agree 100%
I’ve had fibro since 88. Struggled to works full time job and raise my three beautiful children. My body posture was so bad for being in so much pain. A while back my oldest daughter went for yoga training. So I started to take some gentle and beginner classes. She now does restorative twice a month and I attend them religiously and they have made a great difference in my life. She guides us threw meditation, does reiki and uses therapeutic oils. For the first time in my life I am able to quiet my mind, truly relax and at the end of class when we go to fetal position I am so calm and relaxed nourishing my mind body and spirit to the point that i feel like I am back in my mothers womb all safe warm and protected.
Hey Lorrie,
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your story. I am glad to hear that the yoga is able to provide a little relief for you!