Yoga is about much more than striking a pose – it’s a practice that offers a wealth of benefits for both mind and body. For those with spondyloarthritis (SpA), yoga can help ease pain, maintain mobility and flexibility, and lower stress, all of which can lead to improved quality of life.
In this video, yoga instructor Sandra Voss discusses key elements of yoga (including mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing) and how to modify yoga poses to practice safely and fit your unique needs, and demonstrates some of her favorite stretches to relieve back pain and boost spinal mobility. She also leads us through a gentle chair and standing yoga sequence that you can follow along with at home! (Please wear comfortable clothing, and have a chair without wheels and a small footstool handy.) Watch the video below (and turn on closed captions to access custom video captions), and download Sandra’s handout for helpful yoga tips.
Sandra Voss, RYT-200 completed her 200-hour yoga teacher certification with Harlem Yoga Studio, and Level 1 of Yoga for Arthritis training with the Integral Yoga Institute in New York City. Sandra was diagnosed with spondyloarthritis in 2015 and has been leading SAA’s New York City support group since 2017. She has found yoga, stretching, and other exercise to be extremely helpful for managing her pain and maintaining mobility, and enjoys sharing the benefits of yoga with others. Sandra’s teaching emphasizes using yoga to reduce pain, connect with our inner experience, improve mindfulness, and reduce stress.
Have questions or need additional assistance? Please contact us at Programs@spondylitis.org.
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