Ask an Expert: Yoga for Parkinson's

Kaitlyn Roland is a yoga instructor based out of Victoria, BC who leads “Yogadopa”, or Parkinson’s focused classes. After her grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, she made it her goal to improve the daily lives of people affected by neurological disorders. Her most recent post-doctoral work has focused on categorizing the physical, cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms that influence well-being in dementia caregivers. This work aims to support independent living, reduce distress and healthcare utilization, which may have significant public health implications.

What is yoga?

The Sanskrit word “yoga” means to yoke or unite. It is the union of body, mind and spirit. Hatha yoga is the most recognized and practiced form of physical yoga in the Western world. It typically consists of asana (physical posture), pranayama (breathing exercises) and dhyana (meditation) practice.

Yoga is not about what you do, but how you do it. It teaches you to approach movement, thoughts, habits and challenges, both on the yoga mat and in your daily life, with awareness and poise. When practicing yoga, you need to make an ongoing commitment to it as part of your PD management program. It is then that you will experience its full potential to improve many aspects of your life.

Why did you choose to teach yoga?

I began practicing yoga as a way to bring balance into my own life. While working through the demands of various university degree programs, yoga enabled me to focus, work hard and also take time for myself. I began teaching yoga in 2010 to people with Parkinson’s disease in Kelowna, BC because I saw how beneficial it was in bringing mindfulness and balance into my own life.

Are there different types of yoga? If so, is one type better for those living with Parkinson’s?

It helps to find a style of practice that works for you. Your yoga practice should make you feel good, as well as challenge you. Being an informed yoga practitioner is important, so is practicing with a well-trained and educated instructor who has some understanding of Parkinson’s disease. You can be an informed yoga practitioner by listening to your body, understanding what feels good and what doesn’t; it means paying attention to your symptoms and how they show up in your day; also, knowing what triggers increase the intensity of your symptoms and which ones relax you.

What makes yoga unique from other forms of exercise and how is it beneficial for people with Parkinson’s and their care partners?

1. Conscious breathing. Yoga uses breath as a tool to connect your mind with your body – this brings you into the present moment and allows you to focus on “the task at hand”; whether that is standing on one leg in tree pose, or navigating an uneven sidewalk. Breath can help manage stressful situations, such as the onset of dyskinesias, a particularly challenging day meeting the care needs of someone with PD, or the inability to fall asleep at night. Focusing your attention on breathing exercises (like alternate nostril breathing or three-part diaphragmatic breath) can bring an overall sense of awareness and calm.
2. Awareness in movement. Have you ever watched someone fall and it seems to happen in slow motion? And then when it happens to you, it happens in a flash! Yoga can improve bodily control by focusing on slow, precise and mindful movements; and we can take this practice off our yoga mat! For example, reminding yourself to ground down through all three-points of our feet (ball of baby toe, ball of big toe, heel) while walking through a crowded street; bringing awareness and engagement to the core muscles to keep our body stable and upright when we feel they might fall backwards; and, mindfully grounding down though our supporting leg and lifting our other knee high enough to step and transfer our weight on-top of the curb, rather than tripping over it. These are examples of how the deliberate, mindful movements practiced in yoga can help movement during daily life.

What yoga strategies or tips can you suggest for people having difficulty making time to exercise?

Make exercise a habit – like you do with brushing your teeth! Carve out some time everyday when you can fit it into your schedule, even if it’s only a few minutes. Create a routine and put it in your calendar.

How can people find yoga classes that are best suited to their needs?

Contact Parkinson Society British Columbia to connect with a yoga instructor in your area. The most important thing is to find a yoga teacher your trust and who understands what your needs are.

This content was published in the Fall 2015 edition of our quarterly magazine, Viewpoints. The content was accurate as of this publication date.