Yoga

[masterji]

Hi All,

I am currently in the waiting room. I have severe regurge, normal heart function and size. My doctors follow me up every six months or so. I know that isometric stress (weight lifting) is not recommended. I was comtemplating taking up yoga (tried 2 classes), but then I started to think that it might have some similarity to the weight lifting. Do you know if Yoga is generally allowed or not?

Would appreciate your thoughts.

Masterji

 

[Swede]

Hi Masterji,

I am to be operated for the second time in january. My doctor also tells me not to do weightlifting - I do it but keep weights lower and try to have a constant muscle effort throughout each rep and increase each set to at least 10 reps. I might be stupid but it is a must I feel. First I did not since I had severe regurge as you have now - the body said no then.
Yoga I do on a daily basis - if you keep to a calmer yoga lika Hatha I find it very hard it can be bad rather the reverse - my doctor know I do yoga and he has said nothing about it. Before my first operation I did yoga for at least 1h everyday - including headstand - preparing myself for the operation - gives a lot of mental strength and if that is what you want I would recommend a lot of breathing excersises as well as meditation. Post op knowing breathing excersises is great. If you are trying ashtanga/poweryoga - I am not into those since I prefer running and the gym for the physics and yoga for the mental - I think it is hard to see why it would be bad - important thing is to listen to your body.
I wish you all the best for the operation.
Swede

 

[masterji]

Hi Swede,

Thanks for your response. I am glad to hear that you think Yoga should be o.k. I will look into the Hatha yoga. I am hoping it has a lot of streching poses because that is what I really like.

Thanks again!


Mayank

 

[BackDoc]

I am convinced that exercise, Up to a limit, will enhance the recovery process.

I had to stop all the weight training that I did because of aneurysm issues as well as severe regurg. However I continued to power walk on a daily basis as well as continue with basic body weight exercise.

I also did some yoga. I would avoid the Bikram or hot yoga.

The most important thing is to listen to your body. Don't push when it is telling you to slow down or stop.

 

[masterji]

Back Doc,

Thanks for your response and the heads up about the hot yoga. What kind of yoga did you do before the surgery? Did it involve bearing weight on your arm or leg (e.g. push up like positions). Have you continued with yoga after the surgery?

Thanks,
Masterji

 

[BackDoc]

I continued with the postures that I learned during my time in Bikram.

I am only two weeks post-op, so I am not doing anything but walking right now.

The better over-all condition that you remain prior to surgery, the easier everything will be afterwards; simple things we take for granted such as rising up from bead, or standing from being seated, to walking, and even attending to your own needs--shower-drying off, etc.

My mind set was this: each lap I walked on the hospital floor following surgery was another step closer to getting out and being back home. And everything I did prior to surgery would make post-surgery that much easier.

 

[masterji]

Thanks BackDoc! That really helps.

 

[masterji]

Thanks Rachel for your response.

Masterji

 

[Swede]

Hi again,
Hatha has a lot of stretches and is not that physically demanding. Each teacher tends to have a program of their own that varies according to the level of the class.
I prefer a Hatha "version" called Sivananda Yoga which has a fixed set of 12 poses. A normal class is 1.5h and includes poses, breathing excercises and relaxation.
read more @ http://www.sivananda.org/.
It has a lot of good strecthes and the poses are usually held for a longer time.
Swede