Empowerment On the morning I visit his MS class, 14 students sit on metal folding chairs; only one has to remain in his Wheelchair. Small likes to get people into regular chairs if possible. “It’s important they feel they can take charge of their lives and leave the grip of the wheelchair or walker.” He begins, after a brief meditation, by telling his students to sit up straight, place their hands on their knees, and press on their hands, lifting the sternum. “Notice what you’re feeling.” “I feel as I get more oxygen.” Small then leads them in a simple breathing exercise, introducing the basic elements of pranayama. “The disease excites and fatigues the brain. It’s important to give it a rest by concentrating on your breathing.” (He tells me later that pranayama is a very important element of the program.) He next leads the class in a series of classic yoga poses (see sidebar) adapted for people with MS, encouraging them to push themselves just a bit, without overdoing it. The more flexible students go to the floor for a spinal twist, giving their chairs to those less able. Small guides the arm of one student who isn’t able to raise it on his own. When another announces, “I can’t do that,” Small gently chides him: “While you’re here, you want to say, I can do that.” The student says it – and then manages to do it. All through the class, Small patiently explains the therapeutic effects of each pose, asking each student how he or she feels. Laughter erupts often. At the end of the hour, Small tells the class they have moved all their organs, improved their bodily functions, and released stored energy, making it available for spiritual awareness. After class, students are invited to talk to me if they wish. I expect them to talk about how yoga has strengthened their muscles and improved their balance, but many launch into discussions about the improvement to their inner bodies instead. Sylvia Sutton and Melanie Kaplan tell me their practice helps them breathe. Kaplan says that doing the poses before bedtime helps her sleep all night. Several others talk about how yoga has helped their digestion and relieved their constipation, a real problem for people who are physically inactive. What they don’t mention – but what is palpable in the room – s the change in their spirits. When they first came in, they sat quietly, looking somewhat depressed. They leave seeming full of life, having taken their health into their own hands. This change of attitude is no paltry feat, because depression is one of the most painful side effects of MS. But can any regimen of physical exercise produce the same results? “Definitely not,” says Carol Edelsohn, a woman with MS in her early 60s. “Yoga is a wonderful mind trip. It tones the whole body, but it also relaxes you and keeps you focused.” Before she was diagnosed eight years ago, Edelsohn had been working with a personal trainer.” The doctor told me to quit weight-lifting and on the way home stop and pick up a wheelchair.” Instead, showing the same indomitable spirit that Small has, she stopped off at the car dealership and bought herself a little two-seater convertible. She laughs, “It’s so small, I couldn’t possibly fit a wheelchair into it.” She continued with her trainer, using lighter weights, but says she feels safer in her yoga class. “Eric doesn’t push me to do things I’ not capable of. A trainer, even the most professional ones, tends to push you beyond your limits. You push yourself to please him and so you can feel proud of yourself. The problem is, you can get hurt.” She credits yoga with improving her balance and making her steadier.” I also find that my powers of concentration have improved, along with my short-term memory.” This is an important benefit, because memory loss is often a symptom of MS. In addition to Small’s special classes for people with MS, Edelsohn religiously attends his regular classes, “Doctors often send their patients to our program to help them reduce stress,” adds Pam Hirshberg, who heads the yoga program for the MS society. Just before I finish this article, I receive a call from Ann Reese, one of Small’s students who didn’t have time to talk to me after class because she had to get to her job as a librarian. “I’d been dabbling in yoga at the Yoga Center when I was diagnosed with MS,” she says. Just before I finish this article, I receive a call from Ann Reese, one of Small’s students who didn’t have time to talk to me after class because she had to get to her job as a librarian. “I’d been dabbling in yoga at the Yoga Center when I was diagnosed with MS,” she says. Where there are often one or two people with MS practicing with those who do not have the disease. Small feels it’s important not to set students apart. “If you do that they will feel less empowered.” So if Edelsohn can’t do a standing pose in the middle of the room with those who are more adept, she does the pose leaning against the wall. If she can’t touch her toes as she once could, she simply works with healthy beginners who also need to use blocks and chairs. “MS is like other chronic diseases,” Small says. “There are no guarantees. But with yoga you can learn to cope more effectively. And of course there are the intangibles that most people who do yoga experience – serenity focus, and an increased sense of well-being.” Audrey Goldman of the Multiple Sclerosis Society ( Southern California chapter) agrees. As a spokesperson for the Society, she is careful to say that no diet or exercise regime has been shown in double-blind studies to cure the disease. But, she says, “Yoga can certainly help build strength and endurance as well as improve breathing and mental attitude. It can also ameliorate some of the serious secondary effects of the diseases that are caused by loss of mobility, and it can increase range of motion.” Asked about yoga as opposed to other exercise programs, she says, “Yoga is particularly beneficial because the breathing and meditation skills give people tools they can use for the rest of their lives. When people commit to a program of yoga, they feel they are doing something for themselves. They get back a sense of control over their lives and their health, after having lost so much.” “Doctors often send their patients to our program to help them reduce stress,” adds Pam Hirshberg, who heads the yoga program for the MS society. Just before I finish this article, I receive a call from Ann Reese, one of Small’s students who didn’t have time to talk to me after class because she had to get to her job as a librarian. “I’d been dabbling in yoga at the Yoga Center when I was diagnosed with MS,” she says. Where there are often one or two people with MS practicing with those who do not have the disease. Small feels it’s important not to set students apart. “If you do that they will feel less empowered.” So if Edelsohn can’t do a standing pose in the middle of the room with those who are more adept, she does the pose leaning against the wall. If she can’t touch her toes as she once could, she simply works with healthy beginners who also need to use blocks and chairs. “MS is like other chronic diseases,” Small says. “There are no guarantees. But with yoga you can learn to cope more effectively. And of course there are the intangibles that most people who do yoga experience – serenity focus, and an increased sense of well-being.” Audrey Goldman of the Multiple Sclerosis Society ( Southern California chapter) agrees. As a spokesperson for the Society, she is careful to say that no diet or exercise regime has been shown in double-blind studies to cure the disease. But, she says, “Yoga can certainly help build strength and endurance as well as improve breathing and mental attitude. It can also ameliorate some of the serious secondary effects of the diseases that are caused by loss of mobility, and it can increase range of motion.” Asked about yoga as opposed to other exercise programs, she says, “Yoga is particularly beneficial because the breathing and meditation skills give people tools they can use for the rest of their lives. When people commit to a program of yoga, they feel they are doing something for themselves. They get back a sense of control over their lives and their health, after having lost so much.” “Doctors often send their patients to our program to help them reduce stress,” adds Pam Hirshberg, who heads the yoga program for the MS society. Just before I finish this article, I receive a call from Ann Reese, one of Small’s students who didn’t have time to talk to me after class because she had to get to her job as a librarian. “I’d been dabbling in yoga at the Yoga Center when I was diagnosed with MS,” she says. “and the people there recommended I see Small. He’s such an inspiration. I just want to soak up his being.” She believes in yoga freed her body. “Even though I have to will myself to do it, I practice yoga every day. And of course once I get started, it feels so good.” Reese attends Small’s class once a week, and the rest of the time she goes to the Yoga Center or practices at home. She credits yoga with keeping her from becoming debilitated, and meditation with improving her outlook. “When I meditate, I feel at one with the cosmos. Somehow I know everything will work out all right in the end.” Loraine Despres is freelance writer and screenwriter who lives with her husband in southern California. |
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