Yoga is one of the more commonly recommended forms of exercise for fibromyalgia (FMS). It can be a good, gentle way to stretch your body and loosen up tight muscles and joints. It also helps with balance and strength, and, as you become more advanced, it can provide you with a cardiovascular workout as well.

Easing the Pain

People with fibromyalgia often have chronic tension in the upper back, shoulders, and neck—places where 10 of the 18 tender points are located. All three areas are easily targeted with a few simple yoga poses. “A favorite pose for many of my students is seated Garudasana because it stretches the muscles around the shoulder blades in the upper back,” says Shoosh Lettick Crotzer. She also recommends Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) to extend the back while opening the chest as well as gentle head rotations to relieve tension in the large muscles on the sides of the neck. She also offers this advice: Stay warm, because cold can tighten muscles; move slowly; breathe into painful areas; and work both sides of the body evenly to maintain balance, even if the pain is only on one side.