Staying Fit When You Are Physically Challenged

Exercising and staying fit is not just for those who are healthy and physically capable it is also important for those who have physical challenges to be as physically active as possible. Physical activity not only keeps our muscles toned and bodies healthy it helps to improve our overall health physical, emotionally and spiritually as well. Physical exercise can keep you physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually healthy. Modified exercise programs can have many benefits for those who are physically challenged besides the above mentioned ones. Physical exercise for those with physical challenges can help to prevent muscle atrophy and ward off further physical deterioration.

The mental and emotional benefits of physical exercise can help to dispel feelings of anger, fear, helplessness and sadness that all to often are experienced by those who are physically challenged. Becoming as mobile as possible helps you to overcome feelings of powerlessness. Taking charge of your health by becoming aware of new ways to stay physically fit can give anyone the sense of being in control of their destiny and their health.

There are many knowledgeable trainers that can help those with physical challenges to overcome obstacles when it comes to fitness training. They can modify exercises and help you to develop a daily fitness program that works for you.

Exercising can become a counterweight to the negative emotions that often bombard those who have had a life-changing accident or who have had to overcome physical or mental challenges from birth.

Seated Exercises

Seated aerobic exercises can improve blood glucose control, improve cardiovascular health, helps to build strength and improve your functional capacity. These exercises are rhythmical and should be sustained for 20 to 30 minutes in order to reap the benefits. Participating in seated aerobics over the long-term can bring many benefits to your health and muscle tone that will also aid in many daily chores around your home and allow you to do shopping, laundry, gardening or yard work easier.

Examples of seated aerobics would be foot bounces, jumping jacks, arm pushes, and the Charleston Basic step, jumping rope and also the step kick.

Yoga

Did you know that the word yoga means union? It is the union of body, spirit and mind as well as past, present and future all blending in a harmonic whole. Yoga encourages a state of harmony.

Sitting for hours and inactivity can lead to back pain, obesity, depression, stiffness, weakness, heart disease, osteoporosis, constipation and stiffness and pain around the joints. It can also lead to poor circulation of blood to the spine and the rest of your body.

Yoga involves safe and gentle movements that can help you in reducing your anxiety and depression while increasing your muscle tone and muscle strength. You can gain coordination, improved balance and better body control by doing yoga. Yoga also increases oxygen to the brain, improving your memory and your ability to focus your attention for longer periods of time.

Too many people breath too shallow, using only the upper part of their lungs when they are inactive or in pain. Yoga breathing strengthens the lungs and the vocal chords, helping us to not only breath better, receive more vital oxygen each day but it can also improve our speaking voice by improving the clarity and strength of our voice.

Yoga from a sitting position involves a series of lifts, bends and other movements of various body parts that are adjusted to the individual’s ability.

You can do yoga from bed, a tub, from a chair or wheelchair, while lying down, sitting or standing.

Yoga can give your body better flexibility, more energy, can reduce pain, and release feelings of fear as well as to reduce depression.