If you want an active and fun way to relieve your arthritis condition, yoga might be the answer. Regular practice of yoga can help minimize joint pain, enhance flexibility, and reduce stress. The good news is that yoga can be done at home using a DVD if attending a private yoga class is expensive for you.
The best yoga DVD for arthritis should be effective, easy to follow and catered specially for people with arthritis. In this article, I’m going to recommend three DVDs that fit the bill. Let’s get going!
Quick Answer:
1. Yoga For The Rest Of Us: Easy Yoga For Arthritis
Join Peggy Cappy as she shows the different moves to help improve mobility and strengthen muscles for people with arthritis or injury. This DVD offers seven segments to make you feel more energized. I like the routines because they’re gentle and suitable for all ages.
2. Arthritis RX
Arthritis RX earns my trust with its clinically proven exercises to help you get more energized, fitter, and stronger. I like that this video offers different programs to suit each level, from beginners to advanced. The moves are a combination of yoga and Pilates, which are all easy to follow.
Yoga For Arthritis is very comprehensive. It tackles many different types of arthritis, such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. This DVD is very relatable because it features participants who have actual arthritis conditions. Fortunately, this video also comes with a Spanish version.
Editor's Pick: The Best Yoga DVD For Arthritis
Benefits Of Yoga For Arthritis
According to Arthritis Foundation, yoga offers many benefits for conditions, like arthritis. Studies show that yoga can help reduce pain and improve joint flexibility when practicing modified Iyengar 90 minutes a week. Specific props have to be added to make the yoga poses easy.
Regular practice of yoga can also help people with arthritis deal with pain. These people were able to overcome daily activities and gain more energy.
Yoga is light enough for many people to do daily. Besides physical benefits, yoga can also help mentally by reducing stress and improving total well-being.
What To Look For On A Good DVD For Arthritis
Good Instructor
The best instructor for arthritis has to be understanding your limitations. They should try to modify some postures to fit your needs and condition. Some of them even introduce props to help viewers balance more carefully.
For example, the downward facing dog may need a chair or a block to help people with arthritis keep their balance.
The credentials of the instructor also matter. Find one with reliable experiences in yoga or physical fitness. They should be able to provide clear instructors so you can follow each move easily.
Yoga Style
People have different preferences when it comes to yoga style. If you’re a quiet type of person, you might find a talkative instructor annoying. Likewise, an athletic person might discover a slow-paced routine boring.
For people with arthritis, it’s essential to look for a slow-paced yoga routine. Some gentle yoga routines include Iyengar, restorative, and Hatha. Iyengar uses props to help people who can’t hold a pose. At the same time, restorative incorporates blankets or bolsters to make each pose more comfortable. Meanwhile, hatha is slower-paced, making it fit for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Video And Sound Quality
It will be pleasing to watch a video if it has superior quality. Both the video and sound should be clear. Look at the format and make sure that it’s compatible with your DVD player. Usually, the video format for DVDs is MPEG-2, while the audio format can be MP2, Dolby Digital, or DTS.
If music keeps you motivated, look for a yoga DVD that features a relaxing music background. The setting should be pleasant so that you can watch without any problem.
3 Best Yoga DVD For Arthritis Reviews
1. Yoga For The Rest Of Us: Easy Yoga For Arthritis
Led by yoga teacher Peggy Cappy, this DVD shows easy moves to strengthen your muscles and increase flexibility. I like that this video demonstrates three ways to do the same position- holding a chair, sitting, and standing. I think the warm-up is excellent because I don’t feel any soreness after completing the whole routine.
I love Peggy because she was able to introduce the importance of yoga perfectly. Her instructions are also clear to understand. After doing the exercises four times per week, I feel like my balance and motion have improved.
However, the DVD is quite long if you finish all the segments. Also, it’s a bit awkward that there’s no music background.
PROS:
- Easy to follow with its simple yoga moves
- Features three ways to perform a position
- Offers excellent warm-ups to avoid the risk of injury
- Provides a helpful yoga introduction
- Has an instructor that gives instructions clearly
- Effective in improving mobility and balance
CONS:
- The entire video is a bit long
- No music background
Best For:
Yoga For The Rest Of Us is ideal for people who have arthritis and other minor injuries. If you find music distracting, you’ll love the silent background of this video.
2. Arthritis RX
This DVD is a fusion of yoga and Pilates to keep you pain-free and energized. I think all exercises are effective because it’s designed by no other than sports medicine specialist Vijay Vad. There are three levels of workouts, so you can choose which practices fit your capacity.
I usually do the intermediate level, but I choose the beginner on days that I feel tired. The moves are easy to follow because Stephanie Culen provides the instructions clear enough. I have to praise its menu part because the different sections offer easy access to various activity levels.
However, this video is too focused on the back area. The pace is also a bit fast, so you have to keep up with the number of repetitions required.
PROS:
- Designed by a medical expert in sports medicine
- It offers three levels to suit your current capacity
- It features the best routines for each level
- It provides clear instructions to most poses
- It has an easy user-interface
CONS:
- Too concentrated in alleviating back pain
- A bit fast to keep up with the repetition
Best For:
The Arthritis RX DVD is perfect for those looking for a fast-paced yoga routine. This DVD is perfect for everyone as it caters to all levels from beginners to advanced.
3. Yoga For Arthritis
This DVD is one of my favorites because it tackles all types of arthritis, from osteoarthritis to rheumatoid arthritis. I like that this video addresses every arthritis degree and what age you are. There are five parts in this video, and it includes everything from aerobics to cool down.
The creator of this DVD is yoga therapist Shoosh Lettick Crotzer, so I’m confident that the exercises are effective. The participants of this video are so relatable because they’re actual arthritis patients. The 52-minute duration isn’t too long, so it’s easy to fit on any busy schedule.
However, this DVD is slightly slow-paced, which can be boring at times. I’m also a bit disappointed that the DVD didn’t spend more time on breathing techniques.
PROS:
- Focuses on all types of arthritis
- Caters to all levels and age groups
- Crafted by yoga therapist Shoosh Lettick Crotzer
- Duration isn’t too long nor short
- Relatable as actual people with arthritis demonstrated movements
CONS:
- A bit boring with its slow-paced routines
- Spends a short time on breathing techniques
Best For:
The Yoga For Arthritis DVD is perfect for beginners and troubled with arthritis pain because the moves are slow-paced and straightforward.
FAQs:
Q: Will yoga help ease arthritis or will it make things worse?
Yoga will help relieve arthritis by reducing joint pain and enhancing joint flexibility. Regular yoga practice also helps people with arthritis lower their stress and get better sleep. Yoga is highly recommended for arthritis because it’s an excellent method to exercise gently.
It’s a myth that yoga will worsen arthritis because it involves too much bending and twisting. The fact is that many yoga styles include light, flowing movements and allow the use of a chair for balance. These kinds of yoga are great in easing arthritis.
Q: Is it safe to practice yoga if you have rheumatoid arthritis?
Certain types of yoga are safe for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Such yoga styles include Iyengar, hatha, and restorative. These types of yoga are gentle and slow-paced, fit for anyone with rheumatoid arthritis.
You may want to stay away from some yoga styles, including Bikram, Vinyasa, and power yoga. The heat in Bikram may cause fatigue, while the quick pace of Vinyasa can put pressure on the ankles and wrists. Power yoga is very vigorous that it may cause injuries for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Q: Can you do yoga if you’re not flexible?
Yes, you can still do yoga even if you’re inflexible. Flexibility isn’t a requirement to perform yoga. All you need is dedication. Over time, you’ll become more flexible with practice.
Q: What’s the best way to learn yoga for someone who is really inflexible?
Find your motivation and establish particular goals. Try utilizing props to make your yoga practice more exciting. The best way to improve inflexibility is to practice about 60-90 minutes daily.
You may want to begin with slow-paced routines. Start doing beginner classes and proceed to the next level as you progress. Take before and after photos to monitor your progress.
Conclusion
Your arthritis shouldn’t be a hindrance to being fit at home. Doing yoga can give many benefits, and that includes reducing arthritis-related pain. Yoga can also help improve flexibility and keep you energized.
My top pick as the best yoga DVD for arthritis is Yoga For The Rest Of Us: Easy Yoga For Arthritis because of its effective routines. If you like Pilates, Arthritis RX might be a good alternative. This DVD has a user-friendly interface and special routines for every level.
Allen Wei is someone who believes in living his best life, focusing on balance, happiness, and relaxation. He fosters a positive lifestyle in terms of his body, mind, and environment, and he is a huge proponent of learning to be balanced via relaxation techniques integrated into our busy lives.
