How can Yoga Help People with Arthritis? Paulina’s Story

In Episode 15 of the Arthritis Life Podcast, Paulina Burzynska shares how yoga has benefitted her mind, body and spirit as she has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for the last five years. She also shares insights from teaching yoga classes to other chronic illness warriors.

In this episode, Paulina shares her personal journey of how she discovered the benefits of yoga after her rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. She explains how it can help people manage stress and feel a better sense of peace about themselves and their lives. 

Paulina also busts some of the top myths about yoga in this episode.

Paulina Burzynska has been a 𝑅ℎ𝑒𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑖𝑑 𝐴𝑟𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑠 𝑊𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑟 since the age of 18. She has lived with RA for five years, and as a teacher she is dedicated to providing safe, mindful classes for everyone helping them experience the benefits of yoga. 

Cheryl Crow is an occupational therapist who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for seventeen years. Her passion is helping others with rheumatoid arthritis figure out how to live a full life despite arthritis, by developing tools to navigate physical, emotional and social challenges. She formed the educational company Arthritis Life in 2019 after seeing a huge need for more engaging, accessible, and (dare I say) FUN patient education and self-management resources. 

Links Discussed in this episode:

• Paulina’s Instagram &  Chronically Happy Instagram
• Yoga school Paulina went to: Zazyoga 
• Flexibility versus hypermobility article
• Free Handout: Cheryl’s Master Checklist for Managing RA
• Cheryl’s Facebook group: Arthritis Life Podcast, Practical Tips & Positive, Realistic Support
• This episode is brought to you by the Rheumatoid Arthritis Roadmap, a comprehensive online education and support program Cheryl created to empower people with the tools to confidently manage their social, emotional and physical life with rheumatoid arthritis.
• Medical disclaimer: All content found on the Arthritis Life public channels was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Episode breakdown:

01:00 – How Paulina was introduced to Yoga while living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

05:00 – You don’t necessarily have to modify your yoga routine

07:00 – How yoga can work with your body’s central nervous system

12:24 – Practicing yoga involves breath work to help with stress and getting your mind and body into a healing state

15:00 – The mental aspect of yoga brings mindfulness

17:56 – Cheryl shares her experience taking Pauline yoga class

22:00- Yoga is not about the intensity but about the healing aspect 

26:16 – How people with RA can modify yoga to help work around painful areas

32:00 – Listen to your intuition about your body

35:00 – Top myths around yoga – “I’m Not flexible enough to do yoga”  

39:00 – You don’t need special equipment to practice yoga  

42:00 – Your muscle fibers through physical activity will get weaker or stronger

45:00 – Certain techniques in yoga can help how your body reacts to stressful situations

48:30 – Insecurities that might prevent people from from trying yoga

52:00 – How yoga can support you