Maintaining whole-person health: An experience of therapeutic yoga and MS

Here on the yogatherapy.health blog, we love to showcase the stories of clients who have experienced the effects of therapeutic yoga. Garth McLean, C-IAYT, is one such person—and now a yoga therapist himself.

Nearly 30 years ago, Garth’s doctor recommended yoga to help manage the stress of a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis.

He turned to Iyengar Yoga, which emphasizes specific physical forms and the use of supportive props, but just about any flavor of yoga can be used therapeutically. Depending on the client’s needs and their own training, yoga therapists use styles ranging from restorative and yin to more athletic types of practice. The physical aspects of these practices—stretching, strengthening exercises, and so on—can be infinitely adapted, and combined with yoga’s many non-physical tools they create a complete therapeutic package.

Through a therapeutic yoga practice, Garth found support not only for his muscles and nerves; he also found hope for the future and a purpose for his spirit. Read more about his experience in this article.

Read more about restorative styles of yoga: