Yoga Nidra for Parkinson’s: Enhancing Sleep & Mental Well-being on Zoom
By Dawn Loftin, M.A., C-IAYT, E-RYT500
Discover the transformative power of yoga therapy for Parkinson’s Disease with Yoga Nidra, a state of sleep with a slight trace of awareness. No prior yoga experience is required. Our classes begin with light joint and gland exercises to warm up the body, followed by breath control exercises to prepare for relaxation. We then move into Yoga Nidra, a convergence of sleep and meditation.
Yoga therapy, a holistic practice combining physical postures, breath control, meditation, and ethical discipline, has shown immense potential in managing various health conditions, including Parkinson's disease (PD). Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement, and balance problems. Non-motor symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment, also significantly affect the quality of life. Here’s how yoga therapy can specifically benefit individuals with Parkinson’s disease, alleviate high blood pressure, and provide chronic pain relief.
Benefits of Yoga Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
Managing High Blood Pressure
According to the Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies (2013), yoga is recognized for self-regulation, empowering individuals. Yoga therapy is beneficial in managing high blood pressure (hypertension), a condition that often coexists with Parkinson’s disease:
Reduced Sympathetic Nervous System Activity
Yoga practices, especially pranayama and meditation, can reduce the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, leading to lower blood pressure and heart rate.
Stress Reduction
By lowering stress hormones like cortisol, yoga therapy helps manage chronic stress, a significant factor in high blood pressure.
Yoga Therapy for Chronic Pain Relief
Chronic pain is another challenge for many individuals, including those with Parkinson’s disease. Yoga therapy can provide effective pain relief through:
Enhanced Muscle Strength and Flexibility
Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises in yoga improve muscle tone and joint flexibility, reducing pain associated with stiffness and muscle imbalances.
Mind-Body Connection
Yoga’s focus on the mind-body connection helps individuals manage pain perception, reduce stress, and improve overall pain tolerance.
Reduction of Inflammation
Regular yoga practice can reduce inflammation in the body, a common contributor to chronic pain conditions.
Practical Tips:
Restoring the Rhythmic Movement of the Diaphragm
- Lay down on your back and place your palms on your lower abdomen.
- Bring awareness to the movement of the belly to experience it.
- Witness the movement to restore its pristine nature and refine its movement.
Strengthening the Diaphragm
- Lie on your back and place a 5-pound sandbag or other weighted bag on your lower abdomen, below your rib cage.
- Inhale smoothly and comfortably into this resistance, using the resistance to help you feel the quality of this movement.
Benefits of Healthy Breathing
Positive Influence on the Autonomic Nervous System: Amplifies our body’s innate healing capacity, especially our parasympathetic response.
Awakens Conscious Awareness: Enhances the body-mind connection and deeper subtle potential of the breath.
Personal Insight
I have a proclivity for working with Parkinson’s Disease since my introduction to it at AUM hOMe Shala. I find great satisfaction in hearing students tell me they are able to lower their blood pressure by practicing breath control or that they have better balance, confidence, or flexibility. I have found my niche in teaching and am grateful to my students.
Feel free to reach out for more information or to join our next Zoom class on Yoga Nidra for Parkinson’s. Together, we can enhance our well-being through the transformative power of yoga therapy.