The following are classic yoga poses that Eric Small, under the guidance of B.K.S. Iyengar, adapted for people with disabilities caused by MS. Many of these postures would also be appropriate for the elderly or for people suffering from other conditions, such as arthritis. The benefits listed are those traditionally ascribed to the poses.

     Practice the poses at your own pace, never forcing or straining. Remember that the goal is to enjoy the practice, not to achieve a particular posture. Hold each pose for 10 to 20 long, deep breaths, then release and move with awareness to the next posture.

Cobbler Pose

•      This pose strengthens the urinary tract and relieves sciatic pain.

     Position two chairs facing one another. Cover the seats with sticky mats. Sitting on one chair, bend your sticky mats and draw your legs up, bring the soles of the feet together, and let the knees open away from each other. Hold on to the back of the chair facing you, keeping your spine erect.

Warrior Pose

•      This pose opens the chest and builds strength and balance.

     Support your right buttock and most of your right thigh along the very edge of a chair or wheelchair. Your right foot should be directly under your knee. Kneel with your left knee on the floor or supported by a block if needed. If necessary, tall people can pad the seat with a blanket or mat to get more height.

     Your left buttock is off he chair, with your inner thigh pressed into the edge of the seat. If necessary for balance, rest your hand on the back of a second chair. If possible, raise one arm, then the other. Repeat on the other side.

More Mobile Variation
      Square the shoulders; square the hips as much as is comfortable. Raise your hands over your head, keeping the center of your biceps in line with the center of your ears. Press your sacrum down and your sit bones firmly into the chair. Straighten the back leg so the knee comes off the ground. If you are strong enough, you can hold a book or a block between your hands.

Triangle Pose

•      This asana strengthens the legs and tones and cleanses the liver, kidney, heart and lungs.

     Stand with your feet about a leg’s length apart and your left heel, right buttock, both shoulders, and head against the wall. Turn your right foot parallel to the wall as close as is comfortable. Stretch your arms straight out to the sides. Lift your left hip. Bending from the right hip, stretch your whole torso out over your right leg. Put your right hand on a block or a chair seat if you can’t comfortably reach the floor. Raise your left arm up, balancing against the wall. Repeat on the other side.