Yoga and Autoimmunity

There was an interesting article in the August issue of Yoga Journal on Yoga and Autoimmunity.

The article discussed the complexity of autoimmunity and how yoga can address some of the mental and physical challenges that come with autoimmune conditions, such as providing a sense of calm and well being that lowers the body’s production of physical and mental stressors that compromise the immune system.

Although yoga is not a magic bullet on its own, specialists agree that it can help ease the considerable  psychological challenges of living with a chronic condition ( and I would agree completely).  “One of yoga’s most important gifts is an inner connection to the reality that you are not your diagnosis,” says Gary Kraftsow, founder and director of the American Viniyoga Institute.

A big part of yoga and meditation practice is learning how to choose the focus of your attention – what senstations in the body are worth attending to, and how to let go of the rest. It is about learning how to be with your body and notice what it needs and is capable of in this moment. That process translates really well into learning how to manage a chronic illness.  When you learn how to relate to the body in a compassionate way, it can be very healing.

Hilary Rubin was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis which presented as pins and neeedles in her hands, feet, arm and chest.  As those of us with autoimmune conditions can relate to, she went into denial, depression and anger – anger at herself even, and experienced feelings of being a failure (yes, we can relate to that too!).

Rubin sampled different yoga teachers and styles before finding an instructor whose words resonated with her.  She would drink in the words from the teacher that reset her negative talk in her mind – being told that she mattered in the world, that her expression made a difference, and that there was more to her than her diagnosis, inspired her to return to the mat again and again.  And instead of allowing the numbness to keep her from doing yoga, she found a new respect and awareness of her limitations.  “Yoga helped me realize that I was feeling victimized by my diagnosis,” she says. “I decided to turn the tables and take responsibility for my own health.”

Slowly, as she turned her attention inward, her symptoms  retreated and she weaned herself from the medication.  Today she is symptom and medication free, which although isn’t necessarily typical, it is certainly encouraging.  Rubin claims that although she weaves many modalities of alternative and complementary healing methods into her routine, yoga is her foundation.