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Martha Patt
El Cerrito, CA
In the photos below, Martha, along with Ellen Locke and Jeanee Hoffman, demonstrate some of the postures that have helped Martha as well as her students ease MS symptoms. Martha will demonstrate these at the October 2003 yoga workshops underwritten by her Betaseron® Champions of CourageSM grant.
| Bound Ankle/Chest Opener - Supta Baddhakonasana - View 1
Benefits: improves blood circulation in the abdoment and tones abdominal organs. Martha assists Ellen with sand bags, while Jeanee uses the straps to maintain this position. |
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| Bound Ankle/Chest Opener - Supta Baddhakonasana - View 2
Benefits: improves blood circulation in the abdoment and tones abdominal organs. |
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| Hero - Virasana - View 1
Benefits: enhances the functioning of the heart by extending the spine, helps improve blood circulation to all parts of the body. |
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| Hero - Virasana - View 2 |  |
| Hero - Virasana - View 3 |  |
| Inversions: Legs up the wall - Viparita Karani Supported with chair - Salamba Sarvangasana- View 1 Benefits: alleviates nervous exhaustion, boosts confidence and reduces depression. (Not to be done during menses.) |
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| Inversions: Legs up the wall - Viparita Karani Supported with chair - Salamba Sarvangasana- View 2 (Not to be done during menses.) Martha demonstrates the inversion supported with chair. Ellen and Jeanee demonstrate legs up the wall. |
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| Seated Twist - Bharadvajasana - View 1
Benefits: tones and massages the abdominal organs, alleviates backache. Left to right: Jeanee, Martha and Ellen. |
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| Triangle - Utthita Trikonsana Benefits: tones the abdominal and pelvic organs, alleviates backache, strengthens ankles, stimulates digestion |
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| Warrior - Virabhadrasana
Benefits: relieves backache and sciatica, strengthens the back muscles, strengthens the bladder |
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Health benefits References:
Mehta, Silva, Mira and Shyam (1990) YOGA THE IYENGAR WAY: The new definitive guide. New York: Alfred A. Knopf
B.K.S. Iyengar (2001) YOGA THE PATH TO HOLISTIC HEALTH. New York: Dorling Kindersley
If you have a question for Martha about the practice of yoga or would like information about workshops, email her at yoga4ms@aol.com.
Martha also appears in the instructional video, "Yoga with Eric Small." The 100 minute video includes four yoga sequences for people with varied physical ability levels—some postures require a helper. This video was featured in the Winter 2001 issue of "Inside MS" and is available for $15 by mail from:
Southern California Chapter of the NMSS
2440 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 115
Los Angeles, CA 90064
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