by Lori Batcheller

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, degenerative, autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that affects approximately 2.5 million people worldwide, including 400,000 people in the United States alone. Because the disease shows up differently in everyone, MS is difficult to diagnose and treat according to Disaboom, the largest online community for people with disabilities. Yet while the type and severity of symptoms can vary greatly, according to Chaya Sharon Heller, author of Yoga of Action: Holistic Lifestyle Adaptive Yoga for People with MS and Similar Conditions, most everyone affected by MS tends to be driven, with a "type A" personality. Starting an individualized yoga practice like the one described below works to calm an over-active nervous system and restore balance to body, mind, and spirit.

"People with MS tend to push hard and burn themselves out," says Heller, who became interested in the disease because her mother suffers from it. "Symptoms vary greatly and may include weakness, fatigue, exhaustion, tremors, rigidity, muscle wasting, difficulty walking, tingling, numbness, and sensitivity to both heat and cold. Underlying all the symptoms is an over-taxed nervous system."

During her 14 years of studying yoga and Ayurveda-India's traditional, natural system of medicine that has been practiced for more than 5,000 years-Heller thought about her mother and how she could apply what she was learning to her mother's condition. When the opportunity arose to teach yoga for the Central Massachusetts chapter of the MS Society, Heller developed classes to serve this unique population.

Because MS symptoms become exacerbated by pushing too hard, Heller teaches a combination of pranayama (yogic breathing techniques) and asana (yoga poses) that are cooling and calm the nervous system, followed by a period of rest, known as shavasana. When doing poses that heat the body, Heller encourages students to do them gently, and always follows an invigorating pose with a calming one.

"The idea is to balance the nervous system without inflaming and aggravating the condition," says Heller.

Another aspect of multiple sclerosis Heller has seen during her years of practice is that people have difficulty seeing clearly who they are and what is right for them. Yoga also addresses the disease process at this level.

"Through the practice of yoga, we purify blocks to the flow of energy and become more sensitive to knowing who we are," says Heller. "The essence of yoga is the union of all levels of our being-physical, energetic, emotional, intuitive or wisdom, and spirit. Through regular yoga practice, we begin to make decisions based on who we are, decisions that are supportive of ourselves."

Consult a physician before attempting new yoga techniques. A comprehensive list of yoga positions, breathing techniques and principals specifically tailored for people touched with multiple sclerosis can be found at disaboom.com, under the fitness and nutrition section.