Specialized yoga classes for M.S. patients in South Lake Tahoe

It has been shown that people who suffer from the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) find relief in yoga due to it's emphasis on relaxation, breathing and deliberate movements.

Yoga classes to assist in relief from the symptoms of MS are now available for free in South Lake Tahoe at the Pilates Studio Lake Tahoe.

According the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, more and more MS experts are employing this ancient meditative practice, shown to bring results that help patients manage the symptoms of the debilitating muscular disease due to its emphasis on relaxation, breathing and deliberate movements.

“I’ve seen these classes in action”, says Dr. Kim Bigley, MD, a practicing Neurologist in Reno, “and I was impressed! Many patients are seeing good results.”

Dr. Melissa Pulver-Bloch MD at the Renown Institute of Neural Sciences and Professor of Neurology at the UNR School of Medicine is enthusiastic about the results she’s seen. “I myself practice yoga relatively regularly. I recommend it as a lifestyle modification option for patients that helps them manage their sleep, diet and exercise patterns, stress relief and relaxation. All can be helped with yoga.”

The studio is located near Stateline, upstairs at 31 Highway 50. Their weekly MS Yoga Project classes begin on Monday, August 4. Registration is available by visiting their website or by calling (775)580-6463.

The classes are taught by Jennifer Barioni who is a National MS Society certified MS Movement instructor. According to Dr. Bloch, “The teacher is a most important consideration… it’s a first priority that they should have training for the applications for MS treatment.”

Barioni’s passion to reach out to the Lake Tahoe MS community is inspired by the fact that she is very familiar with the condition… her mother suffers from the disease. Her complimentary classes will focus on breathing for relaxation, strength, flexibility, engagement therapy and more. She welcomes patients in all stages of the disease and encourages a family member or friend attend as well.

Dr. Bigley cautions that, “Some more intense forms, such as Bikram, which is practiced in hot rooms, are not appropriate and a patients physical restrictions must be taken into account.” Dr. Bloch adds that taking into account a patients clinical situation, (there’s a lot of variability patient to patient) Hatha yoga (the gentle basic form) or Lyengar yoga are the best forms to start out with. For more information, she notes that “the National MS Society has great informational resources on their website at www.nationalmssociety.org.”

Dr. Bigley notes that, “Yoga for MS is becoming a nationwide phenomenon now, and many patients are seeing results that, among other benefits, ease the stress of walking and help maintain good balance.”

Pilates Studio Lake Tahoe is a fully equipped studio, completely ADA compliant and all practitioner skill levels are welcome