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Free yoga classes for MS patients offered

Tribune staff report

Pilates Studio Lake Tahoe will offer complimentary yoga classes specifically designed to bring relief to Multiple Sclerosis patients in its facility near the state line in South Shore.

According the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, more and more MS experts are employing this ancient meditative practice, shown to bring results that help patients manage the symptoms of the debilitating muscular disease because of its emphasis on relaxation, breathing and deliberate movements.

“I’ve seen these classes in action,” Neurologist Kim Bigley said, “and I was impressed. Many patients are seeing good results.”



Dr. Melissa Pulver-Bloch at the Renown Institute of Neural Sciences and Professor of Neurology at the UNR School of Medicine is enthusiastic about the results she’s seen. “I, myself practice yoga relatively regularly. I recommend it as a lifestyle modification option for patients that helps them manage their sleep, diet and exercise patterns, stress relief and relaxation. All can be helped with yoga.”

The free MS Yoga Project weekly classes begin Aug. 4 and patients can reserve a spot online at http://www.pilatestahoe.com or by calling (775) 580-6463. The classes are taught by Jennifer Barioni who is a National MS Society certified MS Movement instructor. According to Bloch, “The teacher is a most important consideration … it’s a first priority that they should have training for the applications for MS treatment.”



Barioni’s passion to reach out to the Lake Tahoe MS community is inspired because she is familiar with MS, as her mother suffers from the it. Her classes will focus on breathing for relaxation, strength, flexibility, engagement therapy, and more. She welcomes patients in all stages of MS and encourages a family member or friend attend, as well.

Bigley cautions, “some more intense forms, such as Bikram, which is practiced in hot rooms, are not appropriate and a patients physical restrictions must be taken into account.” Bloch added that taking into account a patient’s clinical situation, Hatha yoga (the gentle basic form) or Lyengar yoga are the best forms to start out. For more information, she said “the National MS Society has great informational resources on its website at http://www.nationalmssociety.org.”

Bigley said, “Yoga for MS is becoming a nationwide phenomenon now, and many patients are seeing results that, among other benefits, ease the stress of walking and help maintain good balance.”

Pliates Studio Lake Tahoe is a fully equipped studio, ADA compliant and all practitioner skill levels are welcome.

For more information, or an interview with Barioni, contact her at the Pilates Studio Lake Tahoe, (775) 580-6463.


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