Yoga is more than a relaxation technique it physically helps stroke patients after rehab, according to a new study.

Researchers tested the benefits of yoga for patients who had survived a stroke six months earlier. They found that group yoga improved balance. Stroke patients often have trouble with balance, leaving them more vulnerable to falls. Survivors who took yoga also showed greater independence and an improved quality of life.

The 47 participants in the study were divided into group who had twice-weekly yoga sessions plus three relaxation sessions; twice-weekly yoga sessions with no relaxation sessions; and no treatment at all. (Post-stroke rehab typically stops after six month to a year following the stroke, so the yoga classes represented another step in treatment.) The exercises became more difficult as the eight-week program continued.

The AHA said in a statement that Yoga may be more therapeutic than traditional exercise because the combination of postures, breathing and meditation may produce different effects.

But lead researcher, Arlene Schmid, Ph.D., O.T.R., a rehabilitation research scientist at Roudebush Veterans Administration-Medical Center and Indiana University, cautioned that it was essential for prospective students to find a qualified yoga therapist.

View original post here:
Yoga and Stroke Patients

E-mail this page to a friend!

Exercise & Fitness for Senior Citizens

Group Yoga Helps Stroke Victims Improve Function, Balance

Helps patients long after stroke; cost effective; may help them be more active; oldest over 90

July 27, 2012 Group yoga can improve motor function and balance in stroke survivors, even if they don't begin yoga until six months or more after the stroke and no longer receive rehabilitative care, according to new research in the American Heart Association journal Stroke. One patient was in his 90s.

In a small pilot study, researchers tested the potential benefits of yoga among chronic stroke survivors -- those whose stroke occurred more than six months earlier.

"For people with chronic stroke, something like yoga in a group environment is cost effective and appears to improve motor function and balance," said Arlene Schmid, Ph.D., O.T.R., lead researcher and a rehabilitation research scientist at Roudebush Veterans Administration-Medical Center and Indiana University, Department of Occupational Therapy in Indianapolis, Ind.

Related Stories

Heart Disease, Stroke Deaths Drop for People with Diabetes: Often Seniors

Healthier lifestyles, better disease management are helping people live longer; Among U.S. seniors 65 and older, 10.9 million, or 26.9% had diabetes in 2010. -May 23, 2012

Read more here:
Group Yoga Helps Stroke Victims Improve Function, Balance

Add to the long list of health benefits attributed to regular yoga practice better balance, increased confidence and higher quality of life in survivors of stroke

Image Source / Getty Images

You dont have to be a devoted yogi to reap the benefits of the cobra pose. A new study in chronic stroke survivors shows that practicing yoga can improve balance in patients, giving them more confidence to handle day-to-day activities and potentially reducing disability.

The study, published in the American Heart Associations journal Stroke, involved 47 stroke survivors, mostly male veterans, who had had their stroke six months prior. The participants were still experiencing balance problems, which can be long-lasting after stroke, arising from injury to central brain structures and impaired senses. Difficulties with balance can lead to a higher risk of falls, further injury and continued disability.

The oldest patient was in his 90s. To qualify for the study, all the participants had to be able to stand on their own.

The patients were divided into three groups: one group participated in twice-weekly sessions of group yoga for eight weeks; another group, the yoga-plus group, met twice weekly for yoga and listened to relaxation recordings three times a week; and the control group received usual medical care, without yoga rehabilitation.

(MORE:Does Yoga Really Drive People Wild with Desire?)

The study authors note that natural recovery and focused rehabilitation therapy typically end about six months after a stroke, but patients may still remain disabled. Improvements after the six-month window take longer to occur, but we know for a fact that the brain still can change, said lead study author Dr. Arlene Schmid, a rehabilitation research scientist at Roudebush Veterans AdministrationMedical Center in Indianapolis, in a statement.

Indeed, the pilot study found that even patients with significant paralysis following stroke were able to do modified yoga poses. The participants were guided by a registered yoga therapist, who helped them learn various modified poses that increased in difficulty week by week. The patients started with simple rotational moves on the mat, such as pigeon pose, and worked toward more challenging poses that required standing, including chair pose. They also used relaxation and meditation techniques.

By the end of the eight weeks, those in the yoga and yoga plus groups had improved their balance on tests of standing, standing with their eyes closed, standing with their feet together and turning around 360 degrees, compared with patients in the control group. Whats more, the yoga participants also reported being less afraid of falling, feeling more independent and enjoying better quality of life.

Read the original here:
Yoga Can Help Stroke Survivors Regain Their Balance

The ancient practice improved motor function and balance in stroke survivors

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 02:30 EST, 27 July 2012 | UPDATED: 02:30 EST, 27 July 2012

Survivors who had yoga classes felt less afraid of falling (posed)

Yoga may help stroke survivors improve their balance, according to a new study.

Researchers found group yoga can improve balance in stroke survivors who no longer receive rehabilitative care.

In a pilot study, scientists tested the potential benefits of yoga among chronic stroke survivors - those whose stroke occurred more than six months earlier.

Lead researcher Doctor Arlene Schmid, a rehabilitation research scientist at Indiana University in the United States, said: 'For people with chronic stroke, something like yoga in a group environment is cost effective and appears to improve motor function and balance.'

The study's 47 participants, about three-quarters of them male veterans, were divided into three groups: twice-weekly group yoga for eight weeks; a 'yoga-plus' group, which met twice weekly and had a relaxation recording to use at least three times a week; and a usual medical care group that did no rehabilitation.

The yoga classes, taught by a registered yoga therapist, included modified yoga postures, relaxation, and meditation. Classes grew more challenging each week.

Follow this link:
Yoga helps stroke patients regain their balance

They randomly assigned participants, all of whom could stand unaided, to one of three groups - two yoga groups and one who received usual care. The oldest participant was 90.

Those in the yoga groups took part in classes that gradually got more difficult.

Tests found people in the yoga groups had better balance, less fear of falling, were more independent and happier with their lives than those who did not do yoga.

Arlene Schmid, assistant professor of occupational medicine, said: For chronic stroke patients, even if they remain disabled, natural recovery and acute rehabilitation therapy typically ends after six months, or maybe a year.

But we know for a fact that the brain still can change. The problem is the healthcare system is not necessarily willing to pay for that change.

The study demonstrated that with some assistance, even chronic stroke patients with significant paralysis on one side can manage to do modified yoga poses.

Yoga participants also told researchers they were more confident, saying they felt more able to take showers unaided, get out and about and visit friends.

Prof Schmid continued: It has to do with the confidence of being more mobile. Although they took time to unfold, these were very meaningful changes in life for people."

Writing in the journal Stroke, she and colleagues suggested that yoga might be better than traditional exercises because the combination of poses, breathing and meditation made the brain work harder.

However, they cautioned it was only a small study and so they could only draw limited conclusions from it.

Go here to see the original:
Yoga 'helps stroke patients recover balance'

Add to the long list of health benefits attributed to regular yoga practice better balance, increased confidence and higher quality of life in survivors of stroke

Image Source / Getty Images

You dont have to be a devoted yogi to reap the benefits of the cobra pose. A new study in chronic stroke survivors shows that practicing yoga can improve balance in patients, giving them more confidence to handle day-to-day activities and potentially reducing disability.

The study, published in the American Heart Associations journal Stroke, involved 47 stroke survivors, mostly male veterans, who had had their stroke six months prior. The participants were still experiencing balance problems, which can be long-lasting after stroke, arising from injury to central brain structures and impaired senses. Difficulties with balance can lead to a higher risk of falls, further injury and continued disability.

The oldest patient was in his 90s. To qualify for the study, all the participants had to be able to stand on their own.

The patients were divided into three groups: one group participated in twice-weekly sessions of group yoga for eight weeks; another group, the yoga-plus group, met twice weekly for yoga and listened to relaxation recordings three times a week; and the control group received usual medical care, without yoga rehabilitation.

(MORE:Does Yoga Really Drive People Wild with Desire?)

The study authors note that natural recovery and focused rehabilitation therapy typically end about six months after a stroke, but patients may still remain disabled. Improvements after the six-month window take longer to occur, but we know for a fact that the brain still can change, said lead study author Dr. Arlene Schmid, a rehabilitation research scientist at Roudebush Veterans AdministrationMedical Center in Indianapolis, in a statement.

Indeed, the pilot study found that even patients with significant paralysis following stroke were able to do modified yoga poses. The participants were guided by a registered yoga therapist, who helped them learn various modified poses that increased in difficulty week by week. The patients started with simple rotational moves on the mat, such as pigeon pose, and worked toward more challenging poses that required standing, including chair pose. They also used relaxation and meditation techniques.

By the end of the eight weeks, those in the yoga and yoga plus groups had improved their balance on tests of standing, standing with their eyes closed, standing with their feet together and turning around 360 degrees, compared with patients in the control group. Whats more, the yoga participants also reported being less afraid of falling, feeling more independent and enjoying better quality of life.

Read the original post:
Yoga Can Help Stroke Victims Regain Balance

ScienceDaily (July 26, 2012) Group yoga can improve balance in stroke survivors who no longer receive rehabilitative care, according to new research in the American Heart Association journal Stroke.

In a small pilot study, researchers tested the potential benefits of yoga among chronic stroke survivors -- those whose stroke occurred more than six months earlier.

"For people with chronic stroke, something like yoga in a group environment is cost effective and appears to improve motor function and balance," said Arlene Schmid, Ph.D., O.T.R., lead researcher and a rehabilitation research scientist at Roudebush Veterans Administration-Medical Center and Indiana University, Department of Occupational Therapy in Indianapolis, Ind.

The study's 47 participants, about three-quarters of them male veterans, were divided into three groups: twice-weekly group yoga for eight weeks; a "yoga-plus" group, which met twice weekly and had a relaxation recording to use at least three times a week; and a usual medical care group that did no rehabilitation.

The yoga classes, taught by a registered yoga therapist, included modified yoga postures, relaxation, and meditation. Classes grew more challenging each week.

Compared with patients in the usual-care group, those who completed yoga or yoga-plus significantly improved their balance.

Balance problems frequently last long after a person suffers a stroke, and are related to greater disability and a higher risk of falls, researchers said.

Furthermore, survivors in the yoga groups had improved scores for independence and quality of life and were less afraid of falling.

"For chronic stroke patients, even if they remain disabled, natural recovery and acute rehabilitation therapy typically ends after six months, or maybe a year," said Schmid, who is also an assistant professor of occupational therapy at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis and an investigator at the Regenstrief Institute.

Improvements after the six-month window can take longer to occur, she said, "but we know for a fact that the brain still can change. The problem is the healthcare system is not necessarily willing to pay for that change. The study demonstrated that with some assistance, even chronic stroke patients with significant paralysis on one side can manage to do modified yoga poses."

See original here:
Yoga may help stroke survivors improve balance

Study Shows Yoga Also Reduces Fear of Falling

July 26, 2012 -- Starting yoga even long after a stroke may improve the balance of stroke survivors, a study shows.

"It's an exciting thing," says study researcher Arlene Schmid, PhD. "People can improve their balance years after a stroke. They can change their brain and change their body. They are not stuck with what they have."

The study is published in the journal Stroke.

Schmid is a rehabilitation research scientist at Roudebush Veterans Administration-Medical Center and Indiana University in Indianapolis. For the study, her team recruited 47 stroke survivors who'd had strokes more than six months ago. Seventy-five percent of them were male veterans, including veterans of World War II.

They were divided into two groups. Ten received no therapy. The other 37 got a specialized version of yoga developed by a yoga therapist and the research team.

At first, many of the veterans scoffed at the therapy.

"'Yoga is for girls, yoga is for hippies,'" Schmid recalls them telling her. "A stereotypical male veteran's response."

After a couple of sessions, though, and with encouragement from their wives, the veterans came to appreciate yoga and the impact it had on their disabilities.

"It was a hard sell, but by the end they wanted more," Schmid says.

Read the original post:
Yoga Improves Balance After Stroke

"The Hot Yoga War," Rebecca Moss, July 19

Not Cool

Very good story on the yoga wars. It persuaded me that I should just stick to a brisk walk around Washington Park.

Julie Randall Denver

This is hysterical.

So much for yoga as a method for the contemplative, meditative seeking of wisdom and inner peace. And why did the word "cult" keep pinging my brain while reading this?

From the moment I heard about Bikram yoga, something felt not quite right about it. And now, a balding greedy guy who can give his wife an $800,000 Rolls-Royce doesn't have enough money that he can afford to let his "favorite disciple" make some serious scratch, too? Good grief.

Ellen Sweets Austin, Texas

It is very sad that Bikram Choudhury, a man trying to maintain a copyright on a style of yoga, has failed utterly to achieve one of the fundamental yogic virtues. He has yet to master Santosha the choice to live in serenity and satisfaction with all that life is.

Mark Lane Denver

Visit link:
Yoga wars and gang wars are on readers' minds

Yoga teacher, Kerry Radley. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY

Abigail Saltmarsh Thursday, July 14, 2011 8:00 AM

As yoga teacher Kerry Radley prepares to launch a new after-work de-stressing class in Norwich, Abigail Saltmarsh finds out more.

To send a link to this page to a friend, simply enter their email address below.

The message will include the name and email address you gave us when you signed up.

Send link

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

It has been 15 years now since Kerry Radley first started practising yoga.

Now, not only is she helping others as she was helped herself, but she is one of the few teachers in the county who is a member of the British Wheel of Yoga, as both an adults and childrens teacher.

Kerry, 38, from Salhouse, is soon to launch a new de-stressing yoga class in Norwich. The aim, she explained, is for people to drop in on their way home and to release the tensions they might have built up during the day.

Read the original:
Norwich yoga teacher helps you relax after work