One of the most common misconceptions about yoga is that many think that they can not physically do yoga. Common comments include "I am not flexible enough to do yoga," "My balance is not good enough to do yoga," or "I do not like to sit still for long periods." However there are many different forms of yoga and there are many yoga postures that can be done by everyone. Since yoga is about union of mind, body and spirit, the main goal is to find the variation of the posture that best suits your individual and unique needs. It is about a willingness to go inside to not only discover the movements that are best, but also a willingness to honor those discoveries. Yoga postures can be adapted to fit any body at any ability. There are chair yoga classes during which every movement is performed either sitting in a chair or holding onto a chair for balance and even programs called bedtop yoga for those who are bedridden.

A gentle yoga practice can be a wonderful form of exercise for those with arthritis and chronic pain. A regular yoga practice can improve strength and posture, increase flexibility, reduce aches and pains in the joints and back, improve balance and reduce the risk of falls. A regular yoga practice can also help manage stress and reduce muscular tension.

Managing fatigue

Living with chronic pain can tend to make one feel tired and less motivated to move, which oftentimes leads to a sedentary lifestyle. Even simple activities can be draining, leaving no energy for daily tasks or exercise. However, the less one moves the more deconditioned the body becomes, making one more tired, leading to an even more sedentary lifestyle. If this cycle continues, eventually just climbing up a few steps or getting in and out of a chair can cause you to get out of breath.

One way to help manage this is with yogic breathing exercises, such as deep diaphragmatic breathing. This style of breathing teaches us to use our diaphragm muscle to its full capacity and to breathe fully and deeply. This method of breathing is a more efficient way to take in and process oxygen, allowing the body to conserve energy. This style of breathing also strengthens our respiratory system making it more efficient at it's job of delivering oxygen to our muscles and body. As one learns to breathe more deeply, feelings of fatigue can lessen. When feeling tired sometimes just taking a few deep breaths can refresh the body giving us more energy for our activities. To start, this style of breathing can be practiced sitting or lying down. Eventually, this breathing technique can be used during daily activities and when exercising to help manage feeling of fatigue. Also as the lungs strengthen you will find you do not get out of breath as easily.