Comments on: The Internet Connection http://www.super-mom.com/the-internet-connection a blog for moms Thu, 03 May 2012 14:47:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Taylor http://www.super-mom.com/the-internet-connection/comment-page-1#comment-27008 Taylor Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:51:58 +0000 http://super-mom.com/?p=931#comment-27008 Hi Jill, I'm so sorry you are having severe migraines again. That is so debilitating. I believe that a regular yoga practice can help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine headaches. As I'm sure you know, one contemporary theory of how migraines occur states that the arteries that feed the brain narrow temporarily due to a variety of factors, stress and muscular tension being two common ones. For a migraine sufferer, there is then a sudden shift in the blood vessels and they abruptly dilate, increasing the blood flow to the head. This sudden shift results in the intense pain of the migraine episode. If you can somehow keep your body’s nervous system more relaxed from day to day, the initial narrowing of the blood vessels that predisposes you to a migraine might be eliminated and the chance of the migraine minimized. Your yoga practice can be of any intensity that you desire, as long as there is a conscious effort to keep it steady and even, and as long as you spend time gradually increasing the activity and then gradually cooling down through the course of a given practice. Please be mindful that some migraine sufferers have noticed that if they are on the brink of a headache, any position that puts their head below the level of their heart is likely to trigger or accelerate it, with the exception of Viparita Karani (Legs-up-the-Wall Pose). With this in mind, if you have had a recent headache or feel the start of a new one, I recommend a restorative practice. Eliminate any poses where the head is below the heart, including Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose) and possibly even Balasana (Child’s Pose). Breathwork, or pranayama, which emphasizes a full diaphragmatic inhalation and exhalation pattern, will also help to establish and maintain a relaxed mind and body. Try to establish a regular home practice where you are in charge of determining your level of effort from day to day. Specific poses I would include in this practice, that have been shown to relieve migraines, are: boat, spinal twist, bow, tadasana, viparita karani, and savasana. Take it easy Super-mom and Namaste! Taylor Hi Jill,

I’m so sorry you are having severe migraines again. That is so debilitating.

I believe that a regular yoga practice can help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine headaches. As I’m sure you know, one contemporary theory of how migraines occur states that the arteries that feed the brain narrow temporarily due to a variety of factors, stress and muscular tension being two common ones. For a migraine sufferer, there is then a sudden shift in the blood vessels and they abruptly dilate, increasing the blood flow to the head. This sudden shift results in the intense pain of the migraine episode.

If you can somehow keep your body’s nervous system more relaxed from day to day, the initial narrowing of the blood vessels that predisposes you to a migraine might be eliminated and the chance of the migraine minimized.

Your yoga practice can be of any intensity that you desire, as long as there is a conscious effort to keep it steady and even, and as long as you spend time gradually increasing the activity and then gradually cooling down through the course of a given practice.

Please be mindful that some migraine sufferers have noticed that if they are on the brink of a headache, any position that puts their head below the level of their heart is likely to trigger or accelerate it, with the exception of Viparita Karani (Legs-up-the-Wall Pose).

With this in mind, if you have had a recent headache or feel the start of a new one, I recommend a restorative practice. Eliminate any poses where the head is below the heart, including Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose) and possibly even Balasana (Child’s Pose). Breathwork, or pranayama, which emphasizes a full diaphragmatic inhalation and exhalation pattern, will also help to establish and maintain a relaxed mind and body.

Try to establish a regular home practice where you are in charge of determining your level of effort from day to day. Specific poses I would include in this practice, that have been shown to relieve migraines, are: boat, spinal twist, bow, tadasana, viparita karani, and savasana.

Take it easy Super-mom and Namaste!

Taylor

]]> By: Jill http://www.super-mom.com/the-internet-connection/comment-page-1#comment-27003 Jill Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:31:59 +0000 http://super-mom.com/?p=931#comment-27003 Hi Taylor! Hope you are well! Life is good here, but I am sorry to say I have been exeriencing severe migrane headaches again. I hadn't had a single one in the 9 months of pregnancy or 1.5 years of nursing. They have gradually slipped back into my life. Do you have any yoga poses that might help this particular issue or heard of any non-drug therapies that others have found helpful? Thanks! Hi Taylor!
Hope you are well! Life is good here, but I am sorry to say I have been exeriencing severe migrane headaches again. I hadn’t had a single one in the 9 months of pregnancy or 1.5 years of nursing. They have gradually slipped back into my life. Do you have any yoga poses that might help this particular issue or heard of any non-drug therapies that others have found helpful? Thanks!

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