Yoga, Yoga, Yoga!

[julieteresa]

hi all -

i had a 4.5 cm a.n. removed in april, 2004.  i lost hearing and balance on my right side. 

the one thing that has helped my balance enormously is yoga!  i highly recommend it - there are many poses that rely on balance.

when i started, i stood next to a wall (just in case i need to use it as support).

now, however, my balance is nearly perfect - nobody in my class would ever suspect that i have no balanace nerve on my right side!

i can't recommend yoga highly enough!!!!!

[cally]

Hi Julie,

I too, lost both hearing and balance on my right side after my A.N removal.  In fact,  it was at my Yoga class that I started having balance problems which slowly became worse.  This lead to my visit to a specialist and the ensuing MRI scan showed up the AN.

It was removed in August  last year, and when I was well enough I returned to Yoga class. Since then,  I  have found that my balance has improved dramatically so, like you, I would heartily  recommend Yoga - not just for balance, but for ALL its benefits - both physical and mental..

Cally

[littlemissrory]

Hey Julie and Cally...I agree!  Yoga is one of the BEST therapies.  I used it heavily after my surgery May 2004 and still practice regularly.  My instructor was fantastic!  I explained the situation and she tailored my class for me.  I do alot of inversions (hand stands, head stands and shoulder stands which helps dizziness alot- I love it.  The mental aspects of it are as important as the balance work.

Glad to hear your both doing so well.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Rory

[matti]

I am currently working with a vestibular rehabilitaionist. I am 7 years post op and lost both hearing and balance nerves. Finally after all this time my doctor had me take a posturgraphy test, which I failed miserably and now am working with a therapist. I wish I would have done this 7 years ago, because now I am trying to retrain my brain and vision to work together the right way.

I had often wondered about yoga but was scared to try because of my balance being so off. You have all inspired me to give it a try.  I have a Yoga center less than a mile from me and I am going to call them for some info.

Thanks Julie, Cally and Rory.

Matti

[julieteresa]

hi fellow a.n. yogis!!!

i'm so glad that yoga has helped all of you, too. 

i started taking yoga about six months before i was diagnosed with my acoustic neuroma.  i used to sway from side to side whenever i tried to stand in even the most simple poses, like  tadasana (mountain pose). 

i just assumed i was klutzy and had no balance (which was the reason i started going in the first place!). there are some poses that are more challenging for me than others, but for the most part i can everything that everyone else in the class can do.

namaste!