Arthritis ranks as the leading cause of disability in adults (one of three will experience it at some point). Yoga instructor Peggy Cappy, who believes inactivity is a contributing factor in many cases, champions movement as a method for dealing with arthritis. Aired on PBS as part of the Yoga for the Rest of Us series, this program finds Cappy introducing standing and sitting yoga poses in a simple, easy to follow manner. She begins with gentle warm-ups for various parts of the body—shoulders, neck and back, legs and feet, hands, wrists, and arms—before moving through standard and relatively easy postures, emphasizing breathing throughout. The final segments offer guidance on deep relaxation and meditation exercises. Cappy, who's been a yoga instructor for more than 30 years, demonstrates each pose with one person seated, another standing with a chair as support, and a third on a mat (lying down or standing—depending on the pose). Besides those who suffer from arthritis, other individuals with limited movement ability (such as MS patients) might also benefit from the gentle techniques demonstrated here. DVD extras include a feature about Cappy's arthritis class in her hometown of Peterborough, NH, with students discussing the ways in which their participation has dramatically improved their lives. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (F. Gardner)
Easy Yoga for Arthritis
(2010) 110 min. DVD: $19.99 ($34.95 w/PPR). PBS Video (tel: 800-344-3337, web:<a href="http://www.pbs.org/">www.pbs.org</span></a>). ISBN: 978-1-60883-280-4. May 23, 2011
Easy Yoga for Arthritis
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