We all know that arthritis can be a very severe condition, which causes pain and reduces stability. Practicing yoga in one’s daily routine can help remove these symptoms and also improve quality of life. So, yoga promotes flexibility and enhances joint functioning—making it a great treatment for those with arthritis. Below are five yoga poses that can provide relief and support for those with arthritis.
5 Yoga Poses For Arthritis Pain and Improve Mobility
Here are five yoga poses that can provide relief and support for arthritis sufferers.
Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana)
The Cat-Cow Pose is a gentle pose that increases flexibility in the neck, shoulders, and spine.
How to Do It:
One should start with their hands and knees in a tabletop position. Make sure your wrists are directly under your shoulders and knees under your hips. Then inhale as you arch your back, dropping the belly towards the mat and lifting the head and tailbone towards the ceiling. Exhale as you round your spine and tuck your chin to the chest. Continue to move between cat and cow poses for 1-2 minutes.
Benefits:
This increases spinal flexibility and mobility. It strengthens the abdominal muscles. Removes tension in the neck, shoulders, and back. Enhances relaxation and reduces stress.
The Cat-Cow pose is like a warm-up exercise in yoga, as it helps to prepare for more intense movements. This movement in Cat-Cow is good for people with arthritis. It also encourages mindful breathing, which will help to calm the nervous system and reduce pain.
Child’s Pose (Balasana)
If you’re wondering what a child’s pose is, then it’s a gentle stretch of hips, thighs, and ankles. It provides relaxation, and it is great for relieving pain and tension in the lower back and areas affected by arthritis.
How to Do It:
The very first thing to do is stand in a kneeling position. Then sit back on your heels and move your arms forward. After you’ve done that, rest your forehead on the mat and relax your shoulders. Make sure to hold the pose for 1-3 minutes!
Benefits:
Not only does it help to stretch the hips, thighs, and ankles, but also removes tension and pain in the lower back. Once practiced every day, the pose provides relaxation and stress relief. This pose is truly a favourite pose for many people due to its calming effects. This pose is also said to relieve tension!
Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)
Bridge Pose is a renowned pose that is a gentle backbend that strengthens the back. It can help remove pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips.
How to Do It:
The very first step is to lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. After you’ve done that, place your arms by your side, with palms facing down, then press into your feet and lift the hips towards the ceiling. Hold the pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Benefits:
This pose strengthens the back and helps to open the chest and shoulders. The very good thing about this pose is that it opens the chest and shoulders. It also helps to remove pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips. At the end of the day, this pose improves spinal flexibility and alignment.
Thus, bridge pose is very beneficial, as it strengthens the muscles along the backside. Strengthening these muscles can help improve overall stability.
This pose also encourages the opening of the chest and can improve respiratory function.
Warrior II Pose (Virabhadrasana II)
One definitely needs to practice this pose, as it strengthens the legs, hips, and core while at the very same time improving balance and stability.
How to Do It:
First, stand with your feet wide apart. Then go ahead, and turn your right foot out 90 degrees and your left foot slightly in. After that, bend your right knee over your right ankle, keeping your thigh parallel to the floor. Also, extend your arms out to the sides at shoulder height, palms facing down. After that, gaze over your right hand and hold the pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Repeat on the other side.
Benefits:
The pose strengthens the legs, hips, and core. Also helps to improve balance and stability. Very clearly opens the hips and chest and finally enhances overall flexibility. This pose is best to build strength and also to strengthen the muscles around the joints.
Tree Pose (Vrksasana)
One should really practice this pose as it strengthens the legs and core while improving focus. This pose is also great as it opens the hips and stretches the thighs and shoulders.
How to Do It:
To practice this: First, one should stand with your feet together. Then, shift your weight onto your right foot and lift your left foot. After that, place the sole of your left foot on your inner right thigh, avoiding the knee. Then, bring your hands to your heart or extend them overhead, palms touching. At the end, hold the pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then switch sides.
Benefits:
Tree pose is very good for the legs and core. It improves balance and also enhances concentration and focus! Thus, this pose is very good for improving balance and leg strength. For those who have arthritis, this pose can help build stability.
Let’s Get Down to Making Your Bones Stronger
So, following the above five poses can surely help to fight arthritis. Yoga is very helpful in increasing flexibility and improving the functions of joints. All this helps with arthritis and makes the bones stronger.
Yoga Tips for Arthritis Relief
One should always listen to their body. Make sure to not hesitate to use props. Warm up properly and start with gentle warm-up exercises. Stay consistent with the practice and, most of all, seek professional guidance, especially if you have arthritis.
Conclusion
Thus, by incorporating yoga into your routine, you can take on a great role in managing your arthritis and improving your quality of life. Yoga also helps with mental and emotional balance. Thus, make yoga a part of your life and see how your arthritis can be healed in just a matter of days.
If you want to deepen your yoga practice then you can approach Pure Soul Yoga School. We provide various yoga courses ranging from 100 hour YTTC, 200 hour YTTC, 300 hour YTTC, and 500 hour YTTC. Come to our yoga school and enhance your yoga journey with us!