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Yoga Moves MS back in action at Full LotusFree Access

Adaptive program helps those with MS, Parkinson’s, other neuromuscular issues

Pre-pandemic, the local Yoga Moves MS program was in full swing, benefitting people with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and other neuromuscular conditions.

From left, adaptive chair yoga enthusiasts Loretta Darnell, John Kean, teacher Bettyanne Hodges, Ed Gregory and Dick White. Photo by Renee Landuyt

When COVID struck, leading to lockdown, the adaptive yoga classes went virtual.

“Now we’re getting back in person,” instructor Bettyanne Hodges said. “It’s like starting all over again.”

Locally, adaptive chair yoga classes are back in session at 11:30 a.m. Mondays at Full Lotus Yoga, 20365 Mack, Grosse Pointe Woods. Similar classes take place weekly in Farmington Hills and Troy; classes in Southfield and Livonia soon will reopen.

“We roam — wherever we can get space,” Hodges said. “When I started teaching, (Full Lotus Yoga owner) Liz DeFour was gracious enough to offer this space.”

Yoga Moves MS was created in 2008, by Mindy Eisenberg, whose mother had MS. 

“She was told to stay in bed when she didn’t feel well, which is the exact opposite of what you should do,” Hodges said. “When Mindy started learning yoga and then became a yoga teacher, she realized that’s not what her mom was supposed to be doing. So she started this foundation.”

Yoga Moves MS became a nonprofit in 2015. With adaptive yoga, traditional yoga poses are tailored to the physical body, rather than fitting and forcing the body into particular poses and shapes.

“We’re able to tailor each class to who’s there,” Eisenberg said. “Someone with Parkinson’s may not be able to hold a pose very long; they might feel rigid. Someone with MS will move slowly. Our teachers are adept at giving options.”

Classes are open to anyone interested in adaptive yoga, Hodges said, including veterans. Participants range from those who are immobile to spritely students who are able to help their classmates.

Classes help with a variety of issues associated with neuromuscular conditions.

“With MS and Parkinson’s, balance is a big issue,” Eisenberg said. “This is an opportunity to practice balance in a safe environment. Maybe not standing on one foot, but maybe sitting in a chair with one leg out to the side, or sitting upright can be balance. With spasticity and rigidity, stretching is very beneficial for that.”

Coupled with breathing, props such as blankets, chairs, yoga straps and blocks are used to meet the unique needs of individuals with different abilities. Core strength moves help with posture as well.

“People with these conditions can be nervous, because they don’t know what’s coming next so they have anxiety,” Eisenberg said. “This practice helps center the nervous system. Breathing helps even with memory and with cooling the body.”

Added Hodges, “We do poses that help promote energy. We’re implementing poses through the class for energy flow and balance. Poses have purpose. This gives them a repertoire of poses they can do at home.”

Yoga is a mind-body-spirit connection and acts as a way people with neuromuscular conditions can “get back into the body and feel sensations,” Eisenberg said. “If there’s depression, it is uplifting. Yoga really is a gift of self care. They realize parts of their body they thought couldn’t do something, can.”

Classes are two hours, Hodges noted, which not only includes yoga, but a fair amount of socialization. During social time, clients also learn from and support each other through shared experiences.

“It’s a support group and yoga provides the framework,” Eisenberg said. “It’s not your typical yoga class. There’s laughing, sharing, sometimes a tear is shed.

“… These classes make a difference,” she added. “And they’re getting good attention. It’s more than you’d get in regular chair class. If we know someone needs more attention than one teacher, we’re going to have more teachers. We pride ourselves on safety. We want people to feel really comfortable. Ninety-nine percent is showing up, so when they get there, they get big gold star.”

While transportation can be an issue — people with neuromuscular conditions can have poor eyesight — long walks across a parking lot and stairways aren’t easy tasks.

“This could be the only time some of them get out,” Hodges said. “Just getting here is a challenge. But students can pull up to the back and come right in.”

“We always make sure we’re accessible,” Eisenberg added. “We’ll help you in from parking lot, help you back into you car. It’s a two-hour class, but we have breaks to allow for talking. We have a generous ending — resting pose for 10 to 15 minutes. You don’t have to wear fancy clothes, just a T-shirt and pants you can move in. If a caregiver comes with you, they are certainly welcome to take the class. Every so often, one wants to help.”

For those who cannot make it in person, virtual options continue to be available. Thanks to a grant from The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s, a library of on-demand and live classes, at a reduced cost, are available on the Yoga Moves MS website. Classes range from 10 minutes up to an hour. They might have a focus, Eisenberg said, like spasticity or balance, so participants can choose a class according to need.

However, she added, “There’s no replacement for in person. Some people are terrified and don’t want to get out of the chair to go down to the mat. They should feel comfortable. We have options for them. If they want to go down, there’s somebody there for them. Having someone by you increases your confidence and it’s so empowering to do it, to go down and come back up. To know you can fall and get back up, to have different strategies for it, is extremely powerful.”

Added Hodges, “They really empower each other and form these neat communities. They have more energy after class, more confidence. Sometimes they’re mentally beat down when they come in, but they have more energy when they leave.”

Participants must sign a waiver to attend class. Waivers are available online at yogamovesms.org or fulllotusyoga.net, as well as in person at Full Lotus.

There is a $12 per class drop-in fee or $50 for five classes. Scholarships are available. 

“Please don’t be afraid,” Eisenberg said. “… There is anxiety, but try to take it out of the equation. We’re a welcoming community. We want you to be you. You won’t be sorry. We know there’s anxiety about trying something new. Bring a buddy, whatever is going to make you comfortable. You are welcome here.”