Is Yoga helpful for Lymphedema?
One question I got asked the other week on my IG account was, Is Yoga helpful for Lymphedema? I love getting questions from my subscribers and through social media, so I can make content that is helpful to you!
If you have a question for me, reach out. It may end up in a future post!
So, what does science, ancient wisdom, and person experience have to tell us about yoga? I am a Registered and Certified Yoga Teacher, and have been taking classes at studios and online for over 20 years. In fact, I did my training online so I could learn the ins and outs of teaching online to best serve lymphies all over the world who would like to feel the benefits of yoga from their own home.
I remember when I was living in Toronto back in the early 2000’s and I walked into my first yoga studio for a class. Up until that point, I had only practiced at home through some Rodney Yee videos I found on a DVD. Yes, I’m that OLD!! lol.
I was worried people would notice my stocking, or the teacher might ask me to take off ‘my sock’, and draw attention to me. Are these things you have worried about heading into a public yoga class? Turns out, no one noticed really or cared about my stocking. They were all there to do their own practice…as it should be.
When I walked outside after my first studio class, I felt different. I felt more flexible, my mind and body were calmer, and it was like my eyes could see things differently. My walk home back to my apartment, there was with a lightness in my step. My leg definitely felt lighter (I only had lymphedema in one leg at that time), and I was inspired to go again!
Fast forward to being a mama with a toddler at home many years later. My yoga practice was evolving again as I watched and practiced yoga from youTube videos while my daughter crawled around and wiggled beside me.
2020 and my yoga practice was evolving again. I had decided that 2020 was the year I was going to do my in person Yoga Teacher training, then COVID hit. I didn’t give up though and instead sought out the type of yoga I often practiced, online yoga. It had brought me so many emotional and physical benefits over the years and I wanted to share that with others. I found an online YTT program and got started. I loved being able to practice at home, with my bandages on some days, or whatever I needed as a Lymphie to feel comfortable!
FREE Lymphedema
Yoga Guide
Maybe you are at this place, trying yoga videos on YouTube and want to learn yoga from home.
I offer online both 1-to-1 private classes and group classes, &
I have a new FREE yoga guide when you subscribe.
It’s my gift to you along with a bonus recorded class, I’ll send to your email!
I am not alone in experiencing the benefits of yoga for Lymphedema.
There are now several systematic reviews and articles about it as a mode of therapy. Mostly the research applies to folks with Lymphedema after breast cancer, but the findings can be applied to folks with Lymphedema in other parts of their body as well.
Summary of Results:
Decreased sleep disturbances
Notable volume reduction in lymphedema limbs
Improvement to walking and balance
Improvement to health related quality of life measures
A pretty good list, isn’t it?
In India, where Lymphedema is quite prevalent (approx 7.4 million lymphedema cases) due to Lymphatic filariasis (which is spread my mosquitoes). Clinics such as the Kerala Clinic have developed a Yoga protocol along with Ayurveda self-care strategies to help patients reduce swelling and improve their quality of life. They have had impressive results! Using a combined apprcha of counselling, ayurda skincare, yoga, and breathing techniques, let to improvements in skin quality, reduced infections, and reduced limb volume. One of the reasons this protocol is being developed is how accessible it is to do at home self-care through skincare, yoga, and breathing. It is accessible and cost effective too. They don’t need to travel long distance to clinics and have greater autonomy once they have had their in patient treatment for 2-3 weeks at the clinic.
Or how about this image?
Impressive 2 week results from their Yoga & Ayurveda treatment protocol at the Institute for Applied Dermatology in Kerala India where they treat lymphedema from various origins.
Want to give Yoga a try with me?
Options I have for you to try yoga with me are:
Online Group classes
Pre-recorded videos - here is one for you to try today!
It’s a great chance to work with someone who has Lymphedema and can understand what you are going through from the lived experience. Hope to see you soon!
Amy
xo
