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Gila Community College Wellness Center |
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WD-40 For Your Joints By Ralph Miller Aching bones…creaking joints—being old ain’t for sissies (or so Sophie Tucker says). Stores like Back to Basics have topical crèmes and supplements to help, but is there something more? My student, Elvie, suggests a little WD-40 does the trick. Now, before you rush out and buy some from Ace…I gotta tell you, she’s not talking about the kind you buy in a can… “It’s WD-40 for my joints,” Elvie said after Yoga class one day. In fact, many students have told me their joints feel better after Yoga. Many have gained flexibility and reduced stiffness and pain. What’s their secret? Here’s what another Yoga student said: “The secret to Yoga is time,” Beth proclaimed during one of our classes. “Many of us want a quick fix. But I didn’t start feeling the benefits of Yoga until I’d practiced for a few months. I’m really glad I stuck with it. I just wish I could share with others that give up too early: what they really need is time—time to stick with it...time to see the results…time to experience all the benefits of their practice.” Beth is one of my most consistent students. I can’t remember a class she’s missed. So although I’m telling you how great Yoga is, the truth is, consistent Yoga practice is what really brings the benefits. Of course, if you’ve never tried Yoga before, you might be wondering what it’s all about… Yoga means union—union of mind and body. Yoga is a series of physical postures, called asanas that originated in India over 3500 years ago. The postures strengthen, purify and balance the endocrine, nervous and circulatory systems. That’s a big statement, and it means that Yoga isn’t just a physical exercise. It actually affects your organs and glands, balances hormone levels, and affects the growth and development of cells while regulating blood pressure and metabolism. That’s a lot more than just getting stronger or more flexible. So why don’t more people do Yoga? Well…comments like “I’m not flexible enough,” or “My balance isn’t good enough,” give me insight into why more people don’t take up this great practice. However, I don’t know anyone who ever started a Yoga class being completely flexible, with perfect balance. In truth, most people start Yoga because they aren’t flexible and lack balance. The great thing is: Yoga postures can be adapted to fit any body. Some of my Yoga students sit in chairs, or hold on to the wall. But usually that’s just in the beginning, because after they do it for a few weeks, they usually find they don’t need the chair, or the wall anymore. For those with arthritis or chronic pain issues, Yoga is a great starting point. I don’t have to tell you how pain limits your life. Yoga uses gentle postures with deep breathing to stretch tight areas and strengthen muscles, helping to reduce joint pain. Yoga also emphasizes relaxation skills. Studies show that regular use of relaxation techniques helps manage stress and chronic pain. As your body awareness increases, you may learn to move your body in a way that doesn’t make joint pain worse. These things basically amount to two benefits: you suffer less, and you experience more freedom in your life. Call Gila Community College at 425-8481 to register for a Yoga class today. We offer both morning and evening Yoga classes and senior scholarships are available. Until next time, may all be well. (Copyright © 2006 Ralph Miller. Miller holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and specializes in mind/body wellness. Information in this article is intended for informational or educational purposes only. Consult your health care practitioner regarding the treatment of any symptoms or medical conditions.) |