Are you looking for new ways to stretch, move, and recharge your body while managing the pain of arthritis or fibromyalgia? I’m excited to share with you an incredible exercise program designed to help people like us—and it’s called Sofa Yoga from the BetterMe app! After trying it out myself, I can honestly say this has been a game changer in helping me manage my daily aches and pains. Read on for my in-depth review of why this app is worth downloading today.
This is NOT a sponsored review.
I pay for my own membership and have been a member of BetterMe since May 2022.
Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my Disney obsession if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra, and you’ll keep me supplied with Pixie dust and Mickey pretzels. It’s a win for everyone. I am not a medical professional, and nothing stated in this article should be mistaken for medical advice…
What is Sofa Yoga?
Sofa yoga is a type of yoga practice that is done while seated on a sofa or bed. It is designed to be accessible to people who may have mobility or balance issues or cannot practice traditional yoga poses on the floor.
Typically, sofa yoga involves gentle stretches and movements that can be done while seated or lying down, such as twisting, forward folds, and side stretches. These poses can help release body tension, improve circulation, and promote relaxation.
Sofa yoga can be an excellent option for people who spend a lot of time sitting, such as office workers or individuals with limited mobility. It can also be a helpful form of exercise for older adults or individuals with injuries or chronic pain from arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Overall, sofa yoga can provide many of the same benefits as traditional yoga, such as improved flexibility, strength, and mental focus, while being more accessible to a broader range of people.
The Benefits of Doing Sofa Yoga With Arthritis and Fibromyalgia
Arthritis and fibromyalgia can make everyday activities difficult, but the BetterMe Sofa Yoga App is here to help! The app provides users with simple yoga routines ranging from 18-40 minutes long that can be done from the comfort of their own sofa or bed.
Here are some more benefits of sofa yoga for people with arthritis and fibromyalgia:
- Pain relief: Sofa yoga can help relieve joint pain and stiffness, common symptoms of arthritis and fibromyalgia. The gentle stretching and movements involved in sofa yoga can help to increase circulation and reduce inflammation in the body, which can alleviate pain.
- Improved flexibility: Many poses used in sofa yoga can help improve flexibility, which can be especially beneficial for individuals with arthritis or fibromyalgia. Increased flexibility can make daily activities easier to perform and can reduce the risk of injury.
- Reduced stress and anxiety: Sofa yoga can also help to reduce stress and anxiety, which are common in individuals with arthritis and fibromyalgia. The breathing exercises used in yoga can help calm the mind and promote relaxation, improving overall well-being.
- Increased strength: While sofa yoga is a gentle form of exercise, it can still help to increase muscle strength, which can be beneficial for individuals with arthritis and fibromyalgia. Strengthening the muscles can improve joint stability and reduce the risk of falls.
- Improved sleep: Many individuals with arthritis and fibromyalgia struggle with sleep disturbances. Practicing sofa yoga before bed can help to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality, leading to better overall health and well-being.
Why Choose the BetterMe App
BetterMe is a health app, with sofa yoga being just one of many exercise programs to follow. Others include but are not limited to wheelchair cardio and fitness, Tai Chi, basic and chair yoga, dancing workouts, walking, pilates, office workouts, boxing, HIIT, and more. There are workouts designed to protect your back and knees as well! There are exercise programs for everyone, whether you are disabled, chronically ill, pregnant, or need to stay fit to run after grandchildren.
It also includes a library of easy-to-follow tutorials and helpful tips for anyone wanting to improve their overall physical and mental health. I am currently trying out their intermittent fasting plan.
Cons of the BetterMe Sofa Yoga App
I have only come across one con while using the sofa yoga program from BetterMe. Users are asked to rate their experience at the end of each workout. The options to choose between are A. It was a great workout. and B. It was too hard, and I struggled to keep up. These options do not take chronic illness patients into consideration. What I mean by that is that there is no way to explain why a workout is difficult. Workouts may be more difficult when I am experiencing a psoriatic arthritis or fibromyalgia flare, but perfect when I am not.
I would also like the option to explain the days that I skipped. Chronic illness symptoms and pain is typically my reason for taking breaks. But without having a place to share an explanation, my results do not accurately show the impact my chronic illnesses have.
One other option I would like BetterMe to add to this program is a way for users to ask for or explain what modifications were made to movements that might be difficult. For example, my hips dislocate when I attempt a bicycle motion with my legs while lying on my back. I modify that movement by lying on my back with my legs bent, then bringing my knees to my chest, mimicking a high step.
Sofa yoga is still a great program, and I would recommend it to others dealing with chronic health conditions.
My Experience
After attending several yoga classes, I had to give up. Coming back from the class was always a painful experience—the joints in my body were so sore that it would take weeks for me to recover. However, sofa yoga provides me with the exercise and stress relief I need without any of the negative physical impacts associated with traditional yoga.
Sofa yoga is particularly beneficial for people living with arthritis or fibromyalgia who may not otherwise ever get to try yoga due to their physical limitations. It has been incredible to see the immediate difference sofa yoga can make — I can now enjoy its many benefits without having to bear a day or two of discomfort or pain afterward. Ongoing shoulder pain from an injury continues to improve. Since joining the BetterMe program, my range of reach has also improved each month.
Is BetterMe for Sofa Yoga Worth Downloading?
Is the BetterMe app for sofa yoga worth downloading and joining?
My answer is YES!
At the time of publishing this post, I have yet to find a sofa yoga program that focuses on different pain points and areas of the body better than BetterMe. The programs are easy to follow and affordable when compared to attending yoga classes in person or paying individually for all the programs included within the app.
Whatever you do, do NOT give up. Walking and water jogging used to be two of my favorite forms of exercise, but my disabilities no longer make them possible. Finding sofa yoga was an answered prayer.
Visit BetterMe.world here or download it from the app store on your iPhone or Android smartphone.
Have you tried sofa yoga from BetterMe? What was your experience?
Thanks for following my blog, and good luck with your health journey.
Need help finding which form of exercise is right for you and your limitations? Check out my printable Chronic Illness Exercise Tracker! It will help you figure out what works and what doesn’t. It may also reveal exercises that only work during specific seasons or when particular symptoms are flaring. Don’t wait! Get started today!
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