Excellent Form of Physical Exercise for the Wheelchair Bound

There are many benefits of yoga. It helps strengthen your muscles, increases your body's flexibility, improves mobility, increases stamina, and is advantageous for the working of all your vital organs. Moreover, regular yoga promotes positive thinking, a stress free and disease free existence and a happier life whether you are a normal person or confined to a wheelchair.

In fact, sitting in a wheelchair all day can be extremely taxing for the muscles over the long haul. But wheelchair yoga can help you strengthen your muscles and allow you to feel healthier and fitter. Typically, yoga is an ancient Indian form of meditation, but it has seen dramatic rise in popularity in the United States within the last 10-15 years. Known for its flexibility in style, yoga incorporates breathing techniques with bodily contortions and stretches. Nowadays, wheelchair yoga has become quite popular and specifically designed yogic exercises are helping wheelchair users to make the best of their physical limitations and begin to lead to a fuller life.

Wheelchair yoga is designed keeping in mind the physical limitations of people confined to the wheelchair, while helping them to carry out these exercises any time and any place they choose. There are many benefits to practicing wheelchair yoga. Not only will you start feeling stronger, healthier but your muscles, joints, and tendons as well as your vital organs will start functioning better and with more vitality.

Wheelchair yoga also helps you to gain spiritual, physical, and mental benefits. If you are depressed about your physical condition, you will begin to feel calmer, more in control of your life and generally begin to experience a sense of well-being that will aid you in overcoming day to day limitations.

When practicing wheelchair yoga, you will not feel stiff or lack of energy. In fact, some of the more positive effects of wheelchair yoga include increased muscle and mental strength, decreased levels of anxiety, nervousness, and stress. You will sleep better, feel stronger and experience a surge in confidence and self-esteem levels.

The exercise postures and movements are selected carefully during wheelchair yoga sessions and the emphasis is on comfort, ease, and simple poses for every wheelchair bound individual. More and more physiotherapists recommend yoga as a supplementary physical therapy to patients who are disabled, thereby helping them to connect and respond to their own body better.

Wheelchair yoga exercises are even designed for participation of caregivers and are organized in comfortable room where a group of wheelchair yoga enthusiasts can relax and have fun while exercising. And depending on your requirements, wheelchair yoga can be practiced in several different positions including sitting, standing or lying on the floor.

The Internet offers much information on wheelchair yoga and both studio and private lessons are available for you. The cost of a typical lesson could be anywhere from $20 to $50. Let wheelchair yoga help you take charge of your life and general well-being and you'll be glad you did!

© CG Groth Inc 2007

The "Daycare Diva", Christine G. Groth, is the creator of "The Guide to Instant Daycare Profits". To learn more about this step-by-step program and to sign-up for her FREE "How to Start a Daycare" tips and articles, visit http://www.ExpertsatDaycare.com

Electric Wheelchair or Powerchair - Which Should You Choose?

Electric wheelchairs are either rear or front wheel driven. Some of them are center driven or four wheel driven. These powerchairs come in many varieties like small portable models, foldable models, and models that can be dis-assembled. Large, full-featured electric wheelchairs that are called rehab chairs are also available. Powerchairs are designed for persons who have arm and leg disablement. Such people would find the operations of hand propelled wheelchairs quite difficult.

Electric wheelchairs are fitted with electric motors that are powered by 4 to 5 ampere rechargeable batteries. These motors are outboard boat engine types. The batteries come in dry or wet types. Dry type batteries are the most preferred ones due to ease of operation and maintenance. Electric wheelchairs are also fitted with battery chargers so that plugging into standard wall outlets is easy.

Operating either a joystick or a controller usually controls electric wheelchairs. Hand controllers, chin controllers, puff/sack controllers are specifically designed for persons with varying degrees of operational difficulty. The controller is the most expensive part of powerchairs and is quite delicate. Electric wheelchairs come with several optional functions like tilting, reclining seat and leg elevators, etc. to facilitate healthy and functional operations.

Electric wheelchairs for kids are generally those used by mentally disabled children or children affected by polio. These wheelchairs are custom made to suit the age of the child as well as the usage like indoors or outdoors or both. Polio affected kids and paraplegics were using hand supports till a few decades ago. Such hand supports normally resulted in severe body strain to the kids. The advent of electric wheelchair for kids has greatly relieved such kids of their suffering.

Travel had been on the rise and persons using wheelchairs are no exception. Traveling on vacation, travel for education, employment or participation in sports meets and general commuting for shopping, etc. have become indispensable for persons using electric wheelchairs. Portable and foldable models of wheelchairs require storage space, when not being used. As such, public transports like buses, trains and airplanes specifically provide electric wheelchair carriers. Buses with low boarding platforms that can literally lift wheelchairs into the buses have also been designed to serve such people. Such platforms are electrically or hydraulically operated.

Nowadays, in the United States, sales and service facilities for electric wheelchairs are quite widespread. You do not have to go too far to buy an electric wheelchair of your choice. As these powerchairs are made-to-order types, deliveries take some time but are normally very reliable. Electric wheelchair parts repair has also become quite easy, reliable and economical due to the healthy competition between the various electric wheelchair manufacturers.

Operation of an electric wheelchair by patients or disabled persons carries a certain amount of risk. Accidents could not be avoided at one time or another. Such accidents could be minor or major. Hence, insurance companies provide both accident/life insurance policies, as well as medicare policies to cover such risks. It is always advisable to take suitable insurance policies for physical and financial protection. Electric wheelchairs and Medicare go hand-in-hand for persons confined to wheelchairs.

Electric power scooters, or mobility scooters as they are called, are normally fitted with two rear wheels, a seat with a flat area to place the feet and a handlebar in the front to operate one or two steerable front wheels. Swiveling seats are also available. Electric power scooters are invariably electric powered by rechargeable batteries that could be charged from standard electric outlets. Certain models of mobile scooters are gasoline-powered. Such electric power scooters have been most welcome for persons confined to wheelchairs. They find such scooters handy for commuting to schools and colleges as well as to workplaces and shopping. Electric power scooters are normally cheaper than powerchairs. Insurance companies and healthcare agencies like Medicare prefer to insure or extend Medicare facilities for people using such scooters.

Eric Comforth is a consultant who writes on many consumer topics. There is more wheelchair information at Wheelchairs For You.

Wheelchair Umbrellas

One thing people in wheelchairs have to contend with outdoors is exposure to rain or blistering sun. People with disabilities cherish time spent outdoors and wheelchairs provide a degree of independence and mobility. However, they may be tempted to remain indoors when the sun is high in the sky or if rain is threatening. Well, those worries can be a thing of the past thanks to wheelchair umbrellas. By getting one of these handy items you no longer have to worry about being cooped up in the house due to the weather.

Spring and summer are the best seasons to venture outside. There is a myriad of flowers in bloom and everyone is getting out taking part in outdoor activities. Spring also brings unexpected showers and summer brings with it a risk of sunburn. There is no need to miss out on all of this action however. Just get a wheelchair umbrella. It can be easily clamped right to the side of the wheelchair via the base clamp. The angle of the umbrella can be adjusted to protect from blowing rain or the setting sun. The height can also be easily adjusted.

When shopping for a wheelchair umbrella, be sure to get one that opens up to 40 inches in diameter so it will provide adequate protection for sun use. Wheelchair umbrellas are not expensive at all especially when compared to the benefits they provide. A wheelchair umbrella would cost between $17 and $30.

Wheelchairs have come a long way from the institutional looking gray and blue seated steel chairs of the past. Today, wheel chairs come in two types, the manual and electric. Both of these can be customized and come in fashionable colors and can be accessorized. You might as well ride in style, so be prepared for all kinds of weather by clamping an umbrella to your wheelchair.

It doesn't matter what kind of wheelchair you have, an umbrella can be clamped into the frame securely. You will find that the wheelchair umbrellas come in a wide variety of styles and colors themselves. You could pick a nice bright white one or one with multi-colored panels. The key is to get one that is large enough and specially designed for wheelchair use so your entire body is shielded from the sun. Plus you want to be sure that if you get caught in the rain, the umbrella isn't so small that the water run-off lands in your lap. The umbrella can be retracted when not in use so it will stay out of your way and be barely noticeable.

You can find wheel chair umbrellas at medical supply stores and catalogs from retailers that sell wheelchairs and accessories.

Milos Pesic is a successful webmaster and owner of highly popular and comprehensive Wheelchairs web site. For more articles and resources on wheelchairs, shower wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs, wheelchair lifts and vans, wheelchair rentals and much more visit his site at: http://wheelchair.need-to-know.net/

Scooter or Power Wheelchair-Which One is Right for You?

When I talked to my physical therapist about possibly getting an electric mobility scooter (I have Periodic Paralysis and too much walking can trigger an attack), she automatically recommended a power wheelchair. "Wheelchairs are much better in-doors," she said. "You'll have a place to rest your arms, and all you'll need to move to control the chair is one little joystick." She said that most wheelchairs have better seats and are upgradeable. "Insurance will usually only pay for one chair or scooter every five years," she said, "So you need to consider not just your current needs, but what you might need five years from now."

So, after all that, why did I buy a scooter? My disease varies from day to day, but is not especially progressive. I need a scooter that can be with me (in the trunk of my car) at all times, rather than a chair that might one day need enough power to run a breathing machine. Since there was a good chance insurance would refuse to pay for my chair, I also need mobility equipment I could afford on my own.

At the same time, my physical therapist was absolutely right about a joystick being easier to control than handlebars, but I'm doing okay with a tiller. She was also right that wheelchairs are better than scooters for tight in-home conditions. However, since I will mostly use my scooter to avoid long walks at stores, malls and parks, in-home use isn't a big issue for me.

My choice was a scooter. What's the best choice for you? It depends on you, your needs, your prognosis and your budget. You need to take your time, try both and consider not just the technology, but how you are going to fit it into your lifestyle; then you'll make the right choice for you.

About the Author Rodney Robbins has a rare myopathy called Periodic Paralysis, nasty migraines and Celiac Disease (an autoimmune reaction to eating grains). He uses a travel scooter to protect his muscles from damaging exercise, and good old fashion carb counting to help reduce attacks of weakness. "My favorite migraine preventives are dark sunglasses and avoiding my triggers," says Robbins. Check out his new booklet at http://www.Rodneys52Ways.com for more information, humor, articles and cartoons.

How To Choose A Wheelchair For Your Handicapped Dog

If you say wheelchairs, the first thing that comes to your minds are the elderly or handicapped persons. But guess what dog wheelchairs also exist to help your beloved dog recovers from accident or breed related joint ailments.

Dogs are known as man's best friend. Dogs are very adorable and very social animals. When it comes to stories of loyalty and service dogs are always the lead characters. Yet sadly they are not invincible. Yes they get injured sometimes. Sometimes it leads them to being handicapped.

For it is not uncommon for elderly, injured, or disabled dog to lose their back and front mobility. For this situation, this does not be the end of a dog's life. A dog cart or maybe a dog wheelchair can bring the dog's life better again as it can result to a wholesome and healthy life.

These are the common reasons why dogs need wheelchairs:

o Hip Dysplacia

o Disc disease

o Ruptured discs

o Spinal cord injuries

o Fractured back

o Arthritis

o Chronic leg weakness

o Front and back leg amputation

o Paralysis

o Neurological disease

o Limb paralysis

If one of these affects your dog, especially the overall mobility performance, there is now an easy way and affordable solution to finally help your dog to move around just like before. You can now be at ease in seeing your dog in better shape despite suffering from illnesses or ailments. For in a dog wheelchair you too can have the time to enjoy playing with your pet again either indoors or outdoors.

In finding the right dog wheelchair or cart for your disabled dog, you must buy the perfect one to fit the condition for there are different kinds of dog wheelchairs available in the market today. Is your dog having a back or front problem? Different wheelchairs and carts support the back, front, or all four legs. Dog wheelchairs are designed for specific conditions; these include stirrups, training wheels, counterbalanced carts, and counterweights for amputees.

There are many dog wheelchair designs made by manufactures with the advantage of proving the effectiveness to handicapped dogs. The right way to understand dog wheelchairs is to properly examine to how it is to be used by the animal. For in some dog wheelchairs, the dog wears a harness that is attached with its clips framed to the cart. In another way, the dog sits on the saddle.

How to purchase a dog wheelchair:

1. Measure your dog- once you finally chose which type of wheelchair you want, complete the entire owner/dog questionnaire and measurement chart for the manufacturer's design.

2. If you want to order, go personally to the manufacturer's office. If you want to order online make it sure you know the procedure and the cost which will usually be displayed on the website.

3. If there are problems with your order, directly discuss it to the manufacturer. Sometimes, before you order, they will ask for information or photos regarding the case your dog is experiencing.

4. After finally purchasing your desired wheelchair and your dog is wearing it, give your pet time to adjust to their new condition.

Finally, helping your dog become what they used to be is very important factor that you should consider. Make sure what you want for your dog meets your expectations. Bringing your dog to their usefulness is what you really ask for.

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