Yoga/Pilates for a hardworking nurse
November 8, 2007 7:04 AM Subscribe
How do I find yoga/pilates classes that will work with a nurse's irregular shift schedule? Also, is yoga/pilates effective for dealing with leg/back pain due to working 12+ hour shifts on one's feet?
My girlfriend is a nurse at a major hospital in downtown Toronto, and she has demonstrated interest in yoga or pilates classes. I'd like to surprise her by giving her and her sister a gift certificate for some of these classes, but they are both nurses, and I am afraid it will be next to impossible to find a place that will offer flexible enough schedules to allow them to show up whenever they are free. Both their schedules are completely irregular. They know their schedules roughly a month in advance, but that is about it.
Another reason why I'd like to give this gift is that my girlfriend has complained about pain in her legs, feet and back after the odd shift at the hospital. She is young (25) and slim, but I have the feeling that over time this will lead to serious discomfort, as she is not very active. I see this interest in yoga/pilates as an opportunity for her to exercise, and to avoid work related health problems, but I am not sure if these types of exercises are indeed effective.
So my question is two fold: are there any people out there with completely irregular schedules that still manage to find places where they can just drop in and have yoga/pilates classes? And for anyone that works 12+ hr shifts on their feet, do you find that yoga/pilates-type exercises are effective in alleviating back/leg/foot pain?
My girlfriend is a nurse at a major hospital in downtown Toronto, and she has demonstrated interest in yoga or pilates classes. I'd like to surprise her by giving her and her sister a gift certificate for some of these classes, but they are both nurses, and I am afraid it will be next to impossible to find a place that will offer flexible enough schedules to allow them to show up whenever they are free. Both their schedules are completely irregular. They know their schedules roughly a month in advance, but that is about it.
Another reason why I'd like to give this gift is that my girlfriend has complained about pain in her legs, feet and back after the odd shift at the hospital. She is young (25) and slim, but I have the feeling that over time this will lead to serious discomfort, as she is not very active. I see this interest in yoga/pilates as an opportunity for her to exercise, and to avoid work related health problems, but I am not sure if these types of exercises are indeed effective.
So my question is two fold: are there any people out there with completely irregular schedules that still manage to find places where they can just drop in and have yoga/pilates classes? And for anyone that works 12+ hr shifts on their feet, do you find that yoga/pilates-type exercises are effective in alleviating back/leg/foot pain?
A lot of back/leg pain issues are due to posture and weak stabilizer and core muscles, so yoga and/or Pilates should help her.
If she doesn't find any classes that work, she could try The Pilates Body, by Brooke Siler. I found it to be quite effective. I asked a question about pilates books and got a number of good answers.
posted by Anonymous at 7:20 AM on November 8, 2007
If she doesn't find any classes that work, she could try The Pilates Body, by Brooke Siler. I found it to be quite effective. I asked a question about pilates books and got a number of good answers.
posted by Anonymous at 7:20 AM on November 8, 2007
Ditto what hindmost said. At most yoga studios you can buy a block of lessons (10 or 20 or whatever) that your gf can use whenever there is a class that fits her schedule.
posted by radioamy at 7:22 AM on November 8, 2007
posted by radioamy at 7:22 AM on November 8, 2007
Pilates will certainly help some types of back pain by strengthening the core muscles. Yoga can do the same thing.
Back and leg pain is also frequently a result of tight hamstrings (which then cause a tight back), and so can be relieved by gentle stretching of the hamstrings. This does not require a yoga class, but would be addressed in one.
There are plenty of drop in yoga studios in most major cities.
posted by OmieWise at 7:22 AM on November 8, 2007
Back and leg pain is also frequently a result of tight hamstrings (which then cause a tight back), and so can be relieved by gentle stretching of the hamstrings. This does not require a yoga class, but would be addressed in one.
There are plenty of drop in yoga studios in most major cities.
posted by OmieWise at 7:22 AM on November 8, 2007
Best answer: While I *highly* recommend live classes, especially if your girlfriend has not done yoga before, videos are a great way as well to fit yoga into an tough schedule. Yoga videos can very in quality though, so sometimes it is hard to pick one up off the shelf and love it, but one I'd recommend and it sounds like it would fit this situation is Yoga for Stress Relief.
This video is more low-key, "stretchy" yoga as opposed to an athletic style, and there are specific pre-mixes of varying lengths to focus on certain conditions: two sequences that sound like they would be perfect for your girlfriend are "Lower Back Tension" (35 min) and "Hip Pain, SI Joint" (35 min). (The Amazon page above runs through all the practice options this DVD offers.) If your girlfriend enjoys her live classes this would give her a way to continue doing more of the same on her own, at home.
Other yoga videos I think would be worth checking out as well: Yoga Zone: Conditioning and Stress Release (nicely produced, well-explained, very relaxing!), or, if she wants a more traditional intro to yoga at some point, Erich Schiffmann's Backyard Series: Beginning Yoga (the production values are not top-notch on this because it's home-edited, but it's a lovely and well-rounded beginning practice).
posted by warble at 8:21 AM on November 8, 2007
This video is more low-key, "stretchy" yoga as opposed to an athletic style, and there are specific pre-mixes of varying lengths to focus on certain conditions: two sequences that sound like they would be perfect for your girlfriend are "Lower Back Tension" (35 min) and "Hip Pain, SI Joint" (35 min). (The Amazon page above runs through all the practice options this DVD offers.) If your girlfriend enjoys her live classes this would give her a way to continue doing more of the same on her own, at home.
Other yoga videos I think would be worth checking out as well: Yoga Zone: Conditioning and Stress Release (nicely produced, well-explained, very relaxing!), or, if she wants a more traditional intro to yoga at some point, Erich Schiffmann's Backyard Series: Beginning Yoga (the production values are not top-notch on this because it's home-edited, but it's a lovely and well-rounded beginning practice).
posted by warble at 8:21 AM on November 8, 2007
Learning from videos and books does make a lot of sense. You don't really need a class...
I'm fond of Anatomy of Hatha Yoga. It's a bit heavy, but very useful.
posted by Coventry at 9:09 AM on November 8, 2007
I'm fond of Anatomy of Hatha Yoga. It's a bit heavy, but very useful.
posted by Coventry at 9:09 AM on November 8, 2007
Best answer: I'd recommend at least a few in-person classes even if you do plan to practice at home MOST of the time. Why? Alignment. Especially if you are looking for a therapeutic effect, alignment is key. The most self-aware yogi seeks occasional feedback from someone watching the movement from the outside; the beginner should certainly make sure she has some input!
Iyengar or Anusara style yoga classes will focus on the basics of alignment more than styles like Ashtanga or Vinyasa, and once you have those basics, it's fun (and much safer!) to explore other styles freely, even through DVDs or books.
I am rather fond of the YogaToday teacher Neesha Zollinger for a well structured home practice that changes. I try to get to 1-2 live classes a week, but my schedule doesn't always allow for it, and I like the relaxation of having someone else lead me through a series.
As for yoga as therapy: I've seen some amazing things myself, but this guy literally wrote the book. VERY inspiring!
posted by foxydot at 10:53 AM on November 8, 2007
Iyengar or Anusara style yoga classes will focus on the basics of alignment more than styles like Ashtanga or Vinyasa, and once you have those basics, it's fun (and much safer!) to explore other styles freely, even through DVDs or books.
I am rather fond of the YogaToday teacher Neesha Zollinger for a well structured home practice that changes. I try to get to 1-2 live classes a week, but my schedule doesn't always allow for it, and I like the relaxation of having someone else lead me through a series.
As for yoga as therapy: I've seen some amazing things myself, but this guy literally wrote the book. VERY inspiring!
posted by foxydot at 10:53 AM on November 8, 2007
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And I found yoga to be effective for back pain and it also improved my flat feet significantly.
posted by hindmost at 7:10 AM on November 8, 2007