Intro to the Chair Yoga for MS Video Series with Sherry Zak Morris, Certified Yoga Therapist

Hi, this is Sherry. Welcome to my back porch. I developed a chair yoga series for multiple sclerosis, and it contains three different videos, each of them only 15 minutes long, and we're going to focus on balance and stability. We're going to focus on range of motion and flexibility, and lastly, on building strength to manage fatigue. So if you're ready, I'm ready. Let's do it. If you're new to yoga or have been practicing for years, our sessions will be tailored to meet your needs. Remember, yoga is not about perfection. It's about progress. For those of you who are not familiar with MS, multiple sclerosis is a condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of the nerves, called the myelin. This protective covering is like the insulation on an electrical wire, so when it's damaged, it disrupts the smooth flow of messages between the brain and the body. As a result, people with MS may experience muscle weakness, balance problems, and difficulties with coordination. Everyday tasks like walking, moving, and even speaking can become challenging, but guess what? Chair yoga can be beneficial because it promotes gentle movements and balanced exercises, and it helps to strengthen muscles and improve stability. Chair yoga for MS is actually how I started my chair yoga career. Yeah, at the Yoga Vista studio where I was a student and eventually a teacher, and eventually owned the studio, Mary Kavanaugh taught the chair yoga for MS class. It was actually sponsored by the Multiple Sclerosis Society. And what I saw in that class, to me, was amazing. I saw people coming in with canes and walkers and just dragging and not smiling very much, and when they left, they had that little pep in their step, and they just were engaged in life and just smiling, and I just knew that just getting together, moving and stretching and breathing for a short period of time can really help with MS symptoms. And one thing I want to mention about this class, it's all about creating a little bit more life force in you. Doing things like eating well, sleeping well, and then also doing things like creative stuff. Maybe you love to color. Maybe you love to garden. Whatever it is that kind of lights your boat, do it often because that's going to help fill up your life force energy. So make sure you subscribe to my channel so you get notified. Please tell anybody that you know that has MS to tune into my channel or share these videos with them. I hope these videos serve you and humanity well. Namaste.