Yoga for Movement Disorders
Yoga & Parkinson's
The Optimistic Yogi During April’s Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Renee Le Verrier, RYT is reaching out to raise the awareness of the benefits of yoga practice for those living with this disease. For more information on how you or your yoga studio can help support this cause, please click the title.
YOGA: Visibly Reduces Tremors and Improves the Steadyness of Gait APDA National Young Onset Center's website recently featured an article by Renee Le Verrier, RYT. In it she focuses on the positive qualities that make yoga such an asset to individuals with Parkinson's disease. Click the title to read the article.
Studies show that people with PD benefit from exercise to improve strength, flexibility, balance, overall fitness, and quality
of life. Yoga, which includes deliberate movements, meditation and focused breathing, may be a viable means of providing
such exercise and relaxation. Studies specific to yoga and neurological conditions, particularly PD, are limited. However, individuals with Parkinson's appear to be more open to ways of managing their health and fitness through yoga and other complementary alternatives than ever before.
Massachusetts resident Renee Le Verrier is passionate about bringing yoga to the PD community. She has developed specialized programs for yoga students and yoga teachers. She has written a wonderful book titled, Yoga for Movement Disorders: Rebuilding Strength, Balance and Flexibility for Parkinson’s Disease and Dystonia. This beautifully illustrated book welcomes the novice and provides comprehensive information for even the most advanced practitioner on accommodations a person with movement disorders can make to improve their yoga experience. In the book's foreword, Movement Disorder Specialist Dr. Lewis Sudarsky writes
“Yoga is good for the body as well as the spirit. With practice and teaching, we can all achieve better posture and a more natural manner of movement. When we move through life more effectively, we feel better.”
Renee Le Verrier also offers a video DVD to guide viewers through a series of yoga poses and sequences designed specifically for people with Parkinson's disease or other movement disorders. The DVD can be used as a companion volume or as a stand-alone guide. The two-hour video includes:
- Warm-up series
- Morning flow
- Afternoon flow
- Evening flow
- Sun Salutation
- Standing & seated variations of each
- Tips concerning balance, posture, & tremor
Yoga Teacher Training for Parkinson's Disease
Twice a year, yoga teacher training is provided by Renee Le Verrier, Tami DeAngeles, and Cathi Thomas. Information on this training program can be found here.
Adapting Your Environment
Namasta, a membership organization for yoga and tai chi teachers, recently featured an article by Renee Le Verrier. In Your Yoga Studio: Setting Up a User-Friendly Environment for All Abilities, Renee discusses setting up a welcoming studio environment for people with movement disorders.