MS to yoga teacher PRESS RELEASE

MS to Yoga Teacher
The journey with Multiple Sclerosis


In February 1998 following a MRI scan Karen Ellen received the dismal diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis(MS); now at least she knew her enemy, she had feared she was becoming a hypochondriac.Feeling desperately anxious, she feared that this was the end to achieving any of her goals or dreams and perhaps would not even be able to look after her children. Deeply upset and unsettled in a “dark diagnosis year” she set about positively devoting her energies to help the Croydon Branch of the MS Society.Some of my many symptoms included extreme fatigue and weight loss. Optic Neuritis (an inflamed optic nerve) affected and blurred her vision. She was really unstable on her legs, with extreme sensations in both her arms and legs.. She has problems with swallowing and choking and at the other end, suffered with a lack of bladder and bowel control. These are not all the symptoms but give a fair illustration of the symptoms experienced with MS.In 2003, as well as starting medical treatments to stabilise the condition, she discovered yoga, a practice that she truly believes has reversed some of the symptoms. The warrior pose gives strength to legs, the tree pose improved to balance, the downward facing dog invigorates and energises, while shoulder stands aid core stability and improves thyroid function. In summary countless Sun Salutations with numerous specific yoga asanas ensure increased strength, balance, calm and energised as it completely enhances the quality of her life.The MS Society society and especially the Croydon branch helped Karen survive the devastating news and still help her with the ongoing emotional, physical and practical problems since diagnosis in 1998. She is fortunate to have the support of a family that truly understands the issues and the multitude of problems and various associated MS symptoms. Karen says “Even though too ill to work, I can confidently state that yoga helps me to survive this stressful period and even though not fit enough to return to work, it ensures that at least I have some quality and peace in my life”.“Initially I struggled with poses and found the balancing asanas nearly impossible, though being blessed with natural flexibility helped. Sheer perseverance with my yoga practice allowed me to see the incredible benefits of yoga. I have regained stability and strength in my legs and helped my balance. To deal with pain, I use pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation. By cultivating these practices I feel better equipped to manage the on-going pain caused by MS”.Karen has put the increased energy from practicing yoga to very good use and trained to run the London Marathon in 2007. “Yoga has helped me to remain present with my training and combined with a nutritious vegetarian diet always makes me acutely aware of how I am treating my body. I completed the marathon in an excruciating 13 hours, stretching to loosen my muscles as the pain intensified and breathing to help the pain pass”. Since discovering yoga Karen has for the last 4 years attended the annual Yoga Show held at Olympia and in 2008 was given the opportunity to take part in Yoga Aid, a challenge to complete 108 sun salutations while raising money for a charitable causes. She choose to raise money for the Special Yoga Centre, one of 4 charities being supported.The Special Yoga Center and Yoga Aid, brought two of Karen’s passions together: yoga and helping others. It was when she visited T Special Yoga Centre, based in north west London, she felt like she had arrived home. “I was welcomed like a family member into the peaceful center. I soon felt peaceful and calm in this serene location”.

On Sunday 2nd November at 7:30am Karen arrived at The Yoga Show with 150 others ready to take part in the challenge. At the end of 3 hours and after completing all 108 Sun Salutations, Karen was invited to the front where Clive Mayhew the founder of Yoga Aid, told everyone of Karen’s own challenge with MS and her dream of becoming a Yoga Teacher herself. To help her with this dream Clive announced that the costs of yoga teacher training would be covered and the most appropriate course would be found for her by Simon Low, one of the 12 teachers taking part in Yoga Aid.

“I was stunned, amazed and incredibly shocked that my dream would now be a reality. As I sat overwhelmed in the center of the group photograph taken after we had completed our Sun Salutations, Clive said that he hoped I would one day lead the salutations at Yoga Aid in the future”. “It is my next goal”