Arthritis disables more people than any other condition. Millions of people are not formally disabled but suffering from immobility and pain. Your bones and joints as the body structure are the foundation for good posture and well-being. If you are recently diagnosed or suffering from joint pain for years, you know that arthritis of all kinds can cause pain and problems with mobility and flexibility.  Over time, it can affect your energy and your enjoyment of life. 

Yoga is a practice that comes in many different forms, and includes poses, breathing techniques and meditation and has been practiced as a way to boost physical and mental health for 5,000 years. In fact, yoga is proven to help people with arthritis improve many physical symptoms like pain and stiffness, and psychological issues like stress and anxiety. People with various types of arthritis need to practice these Yoga Asanas regularly to reduce joint pain, help move more flexibly and freely by improving joint flexibility and function, secure balance, increase their energy, provide a sense of lightness and well-being and lower stress and tension to promote better sleep. These effective yoga asana protect joints and encourage bone growth for your healthy and happy life journey.

Dr. Shameekumar Patil, a Yoga expert says, ‘Anyone can perform yoga by modifying these exercises according to one's physical condition and age. These asanas will increase blood circulation to the joints and helps muscles, veins and glands stretch and contract plus the lactic acid layer around the muscles and glands is then forced to move and stay in one place.’ Joint pain caused due to being overweight or obese, or an underweight individual with poor digestion and weak joints can be benefited by yoga along with a balanced diet that can help reduce weight, which can reverse many joint problems or can help improve digestion and strengthen joint and muscles respectively.

What are the positive benefits of Yoga Asanas in improving arthritis problems?
Many people turn to yoga as a way to exercise gently, and enjoyable enough to do regularly as well as to reduce tension and improve joint flexibility. Yoga also can help a person with arthritis build muscle strength and improve balance. Yoga has many positive health benefits, from increased flexibility to better blood circulation to speedier injury recovery times and gain proper balance. It can also be good for your joints, a problem area that many of us have as we age.

While yoga poses of all styles will be beneficial to your health, there are certain poses that are optimized to promote joint health and pain-free movement. Try these out if you are in pain, and take proactive strengthening measures if you are not.

What are the other asanas for conditioning, stretching, and strengthening the muscles and joints?

Do you have any word of caution for the Yoga practitioner?

·         One must immediately stop the asana if he/she experiences extreme pain or discomfort while doing it as it is essential to listen to your body.

·         People who have recently had surgery or delivered a baby via C-section or have heart conditions should not engage in yoga until given permission by their doctor.

·         Avoid advance poses that require extreme stretching, back bending, extreme balance on feet or arms like Chakrasana (deep back-bending pose), Shirashasana etc.

·         Every workout requires a calm mind.

·         Perform asanas under the supervision of a Yoga expert so that no harm is caused to the body.

Do you have any other tips for healthy life?

·         Begin your day with a glass of luke warm water

·         Do the Malasana (deep squat or garland pose) before brushing your teeth that helps relieve stress from the pelvic area, stretching your hips, groin, ankles and back and keeps your gut clean.

·         Fresh and nutritious diet habits can make all the difference when combined with yoga. Your diet must contain calcium, Omega 3 fatty acids, Vitamin D and Vitamin C, among other nutrients.

·         Avoid sitting in one place throughout the day. Moving every hour will be beneficial to the body.

·         Adequate sleep are essential pillars for building a good lifestyle.