I had been going to yoga classes on and off for years, but was never one of those super fit types, even before I kept getting ill. I did my best, but often found classes very tiring and was inclined to strain muscles trying to keep up with others, or have to lie on the mat while the others did the more strenuous movements. During long bouts of illness and exhaustion I would have to rest and do almost nothing for weeks on end. When I was better I could barely sit upright as my muscles had become so weak.

I was finally diagnosed with ME and my constant ill health for 11 years was explained. I realised that I needed to keep my muscles supple if I wanted to function at all when I was well. I looked around for a yoga class that would do this without leaving me tired out. One of the snags was that you usually had to book a class for a term, but I was likely to have to miss more than half of these through illness, so it worked out very expensive.

I saw the Yoga for ME class at Cornerstone Community Centre (corner First Ave/Church Road) advertised in the Sussex ME Society newsletter, but wasn’t able to go at first, as I wasn’t free on a Monday afternoon. When I had to reduce my hours at work a few years ago, as my health became poorer, I decided to give it a try. The first bonus was that you don’t have to book in advance, so I only had to pay for classes I was well enough to attend. It is all the year round apart from bank holidays so precious weeks when I was well
enough to go weren’t wasted. Mats are provided so you don’t have to carry anything, just wear loose comfortable leggings or trousers.

It was a really great experience – quite different from the yoga classes I had gone to before. The teacher creates an atmosphere that really helps you really relax and the first few minutes are just that, lying on a mat and really releasing the tension in all your muscles. She always reminds us to pace ourselves, and only to do things we feel up to doing today. She often says, if you are feeling well do this (gentle movement) three times, if you are feeling stronger hold the position for a little longer, but if you feel tired do it once or twice only. This means that you can do the exercises or positions at different levels. If you do them strongly it stretches you when you are well. If you do them gently it helps keeps your muscles toned and active even though you are quite weak.

I found the gentle stretches of my arms and legs helped with the constant aches and pains I often felt. Most of your muscles are stretched gently during the class, but at any time you can just opt out of a movement that you don’t feel up to at that moment. At least three quarters of the movements are done lying, kneeling or sitting on the mat, and during the 10 minutes or so of standing exercises we are invited to do the equivalent movement lying down if we don’t feel strong enough to do it on our feet. There are always a few people who do just that, so it feels quite comfortable to do the same.

Some yoga classes I have been to treat the movements only as physical exercise, but I find the atmosphere that the teacher creates helps my mind relax as well. There is always a relaxation exercise on the mat at the end, which allows us to explore a meditative state, which is very healing – though I do sometimes find it so relaxing that I drift off to sleep!

At the end quite a few of us go to the café in the book shop next door – outside if the weather is fine. This is another real bonus. I had always felt very isolated by my illness. I had almost never met others with ME, and certainly not on a regular basis, since there are few social meetings in Brighton & Hove advertised in the Sussex & Kent ME/CFS Society magazine. So for the first time I found I could chat with others who were experiencing the same aches and pains and symptoms, and share the constant frustrations of never being able to plan to do much, as one can never foresee if one will be well enough to do it. We share things we have found helpful, and insights into what makes us feel better (or worse).

I find that very valuable, and really enjoy meeting up with old friends again from week to week. Well people can be supportive and understanding, but they don’t really know what it is you are going through coping with an illness like ME.

I did the Lightning Process, a few years ago and my health has improved dramatically, so much so that I have rarely missed a week of yoga since through chronic fatigue – though I’ve missed a few sessions when I’ve been too busy to come! I still find it valuable to do this yoga class, rather than a mainstream one, to build my muscles up, but I’m able to do most of the movements at the strong level now, working at my own pace.

Since then I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, and had three vertebral fractures. I have continued to attend these classes and have found I have been able to build strong back muscles through gentle movement, that enable me to support my spine and reduce the inevitable curvature that is the consequence of the fractures. I also like coming back to see everyone, and hearing how they are getting along. It’s a great class and well worth going to even if you haven’t done much, or any, yoga before.

The gentle stretches can be done at your own level, and I’ve seen people, both men and women, over the few years I’ve been going, standing taller, breathing more deeply and moving more freely, as they have strengthened weak muscles. Do come along if you feel ready to try some gentle, steady exercise – and want to really relax, with the added bonus of the friendly chats afterwards.

Interested in joining us for yoga classes? See class details here

Written by Cathy Fry