Role of Yoga in Parkinsons Disease

Introduction

Yoga helps relax the mind and body, reduces anxiety, depression, and stress, and increases sleep. It also helps in strengthening muscles. Yoga helps increase the mind and body's strength, mobility, and flexibility. Certain yoga poses that help strengthens muscles will help control tremors caused by various syndromes, including Parkinsons disease.

What Is Parkinsons Disease?

Parkinsons disease is a neurological disorder. The symptoms include tremors, stiffness of the muscles, and reduced movement. In the early stages of Parkinsons disease, no visible symptoms are present, but as the disease progresses, the symptoms worsen. Parkinsons disease cannot be cured completely. However, to reduce the symptoms, medication can be used. The symptoms associated with Parkinsons disease include tremors, reduced movement of muscles, altered posture, imbalance, speech changes, etc.

Which Are the Yoga Poses That Help in People With Parkinsons Disease?

The yoga poses that can help people with Parkinsons disease include -

1. Tadasana or mountain pose.

2. Urdhvhast-asana or upward salute pose.

3. Uttanasana or standing forward bend.

4. Virabhadrasana 2 or warrior 2 pose.

5. Vrksasana or tree pose.

6. Salabhasana or locust pose.

7. Balasana or child’s pose.

8. Baddha konasana or reclining bound angle.

9. Viparita karani or legs up the wall pose.

10. Savasana or corpse pose.

What Are the Yoga Poses That Help in People Having Parkinsons Disease?

The yoga poses that help to reduce tremors and increase muscle strength in people who have Parkinsons disease include the following -

• Tadasana or Mountain Pose - Stand straight on the floor by keeping the feet close to each other. Keep the hands beside the body straight down and the palms facing forward. Give force to the thigh muscles and stand straight, keeping the spine and body erect. Slowly bend the knees, which helps in activating the muscles present in the thighs and prevents them from locking the knees. Relax the shoulders and stand straight on the floor keeping the palm straight facing front. The muscles in the ankle, knee, and thighs are strengthened during this pose which improves the posture and balance of the body.

• Urdhva Hastasana or Upward Salute Pose - Stand straight on the floor by keeping the feet apart. Keep the spine straight, slowly raise the hand above the head, and bring the palms together facing each other above the head. Keep the body straight, take deep breaths, continue in this position for a minimum of one minute, and return to the normal position. This upward salute pose helps improve the posture and balance of the body. It helps stretch the shoulder muscles and armpit, which helps reduce the pain in the back region.

• Uttanasana or Standing Forward Bend - Stand straight on the floor by keeping the feed apart. Keep the spine straight and the hands on both sides of the body. Slowly bend forward till the head touches the knee. Keep the arms on the floor or the ankle. When touching the floor, give a slight knee bend for people with difficulty standing straight. Release tension in the back and hips. Hold in this position for a minimum of one minute. Relax and return back to the normal position. This standing forward bend helps strengthen muscles in the knees and hips. It also helps in reducing anxiety, tension, and stress.

• Virabhadrasana 2 or Warrior 2 Pose - Stand straight on the floor, keeping both hands beside the body. Slowly extend the left leg backward, and bend the right knee at 90 degrees to the floor. Keep both hands straight, perpendicular to the body extended, and gaze towards the fingertips in front while stretching the spine. Hold in this position for a minimum of 30 seconds. Return to the normal position, then repeat these steps on the opposite side. This warrior pose helps strengthen the muscles present in the legs and increases stamina. It also helps in expanding or stretching the chest and shoulder muscles.

• Vrksasana or Tree Pose - Stand straight on the floor by keeping the hands beside the hip. Slowly bend the right knee and keep it towards the left thigh's inner side with the right hand's help. Slowly bring both hands towards the front of the chest close to each other. Keep the spine straight. Relax and take deep breaths. Hold in this position for one minute and return to the normal position. Repeat these steps on the opposite side. This tree pose helps balance and strengthens the legs, chest, shoulder, thighs, ankle, and spine.

• Salabhasana or Locust Pose - Lie down on the floor with the stomach facing downwards. Keep the arms beside the body on both sides. The palms should be faced upwards. Lift the head and chest from the floor and also the legs along with that. After lifting the head, chest, and legs, slowly lift the hand straight in front over the head. Give the force to the lower stomach and the hip. Gaze upward and hold in this position for a minimum of one minute. Relax and return to the normal position and repeat these steps three times. This pose helps strengthen the muscles present in the upper body, thighs, and back. It helps stimulate the internal organs, which helps increase digestion, resulting in reduced abdominal discomfort.

• Balasana or Child’s Pose - Sit on the tabletop by keeping both hands and knees on the floor. Slowly bend back and sit on the knees. Bend forward till the head touches the floor and keep the hand stretched straight in front over the head on the floor facing the palms download. Allow the chest to touch the knees. Relax, hold in this position for five minutes, and return to the normal position. This child pose helps stretch the muscles in the hips and the legs. It helps in reducing the tension and pain present in the back region. It will calm the mind by reducing stress and fatigue.

Conclusion

Yoga helps increase the mobility, balance, and strength of the body in people with Parkinsons disease. It also helps in improving sleep quality. Yoga helps reduce the pain in the muscles, improves confidence, and increases the quality of life. The symptoms like tremors, rigidity of muscles, abnormal posture, speech, and handwriting can be improved with the help of yoga. Parkinsons disease cannot be cured completely, but with the help of yoga, people can help manage the symptoms associated with the disease, like fatigue, anxiety, depression, reduced movement of hands and legs, reduced sleeping cycle, etc.