A Declaration of Possibilities

Learning Aqua Yoga for Arthritis from a yogi with arthritis

  • You can master a way to practice daily, instead of the intermittent cycle of one overwrought, painfully sweaty day followed by three days of recovery. So you build muscle while respecting your arthritis symptoms.

  • You can engage in activities that include others instead of feeling left out of the more vigorous things your friends do.

  • You can learn to customize your workouts and feel empowered to manage your symptoms instead of feeling one step behind the rest of the class.

  • You can find a way to adjust your attitude and your self care skills to get through the tough days.

The benefits people get from aqua yoga

“I started aqua yoga at the beginning of 2016 and in three months I have so much less pain. You have made a beautiful difference in my life.”

Aqua Yoga Student

Barb

“Before aqua yoga I could no longer get on and off the floor without something to hold on to. Now I can get up and down fine.”

Aqua Yoga Student

Pam

“I enjoy the work out we get in the pool. It doesn't task the body, but it invigorates our muscles and strengthens them. At my age, I need to keep active for my general well-being.”

Aqua Yoga Student

Barb

Course curriculum

  • 01

    Welcome to the course!

    • Welcome to the Course

    • Aqua Yoga for Arthritis Workbook

    • How to use the Symptom Tracker Sheet

    • Spaciousness Meditation for Pain Relief
  • 02

    Aqua Yoga Practice Class

    • Aqua Yoga for Arthritis Practice Class Video

    • Customizing Your Aqua Yoga for Arthritis Class
  • 03

    Aqua Yoga Practice Class in More Formats

    • Aqua Yoga for Arthritis Practice Class Audio

    • How to Laminate the Sequence

    • Aqua Yoga for Arthritis Class Laminated Sequence Assembly

    • Aqua Yoga for Arthritis Practice Class to Laminate
  • 04

    The Philosophy and Science Behind Aqua Yoga for Arthritis

    • The Philosophy and Science Behind Aqua Yoga for Arthritis
  • 05

    Resource Materials on Aqua Yoga for Arthritis

    • Research on Aqua Yoga for Arthritis

    • Resources for specific types of arthritis

  • 06

    Aqua Yoga for Lupus

    • Welcome to aqua yoga for lupus

    • Aqua Yoga for Lupus Sequence

    • Research on Yoga for Lupus
  • 07

    Bonus Material

  • 08

    Next Steps

    • Helpful Books

    • Share Your Opinion

    • Moving Forward with Aqua Yoga

  • 09

    Research from the 2021 Aquatic Exercise Association Conference

    • Haley Mills Aquatic Poster

    • Mills_Haley_M_491 Aquatic Poster Related Workout

    • Cole_Victoria_Aqautic Poster Knee Osteoarthritis Workout

    • Victoria_Cole_knee_osteoarthritis_Aquatic Poster

    • Explanation of the Cole Knee Osteoarthritis poster

Aqua yoga pro with arthritis too

Christa Fairbrother

I had arthritis for more than 20 years before my diagnosis and had a hard time reconciling everything I'd achieved with all my joint damage. I gave my life long yoga practice the credit and now I help other people use the tools of yoga to manage their health.
Aqua yoga is my focus because it is kind to people's joints and is so accessible. It's an easy way to start a yoga practice, it allows people who've lost a land practice to continue, and challenges people with an active land practice to explore their bodies in new ways.

Christa Fairbrother
ERYT-200/RYT500
Aqua Yoga Specialist
Certified Yoga for Arthritis Instructor and Arthritis Foundation Aquatics Professional
Aquatic Fitness Professional
Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute Certified
MA, Museum Education

Christa Fairbrother

Aqua Yoga Coach and Trainer

My love of water and yoga has come together

“I have RA, Sjogrens, and Fibromyalgia. I have done yoga in the past, but it was getting difficult and painful to get up and down on a mat. A few years ago I started taking an aqua fit class, but I missed doing yoga. I found Christa and took her online class designed for arthritis. I was a little apprehensive, but Christa also suffers from RA and is great at giving alternative poses if you have a bad or painful day. Between the videos and written instructions it was easy to follow and make adjustments so you didn’t aggravate any muscles or joints. My love of water and yoga has come together for a great full body workout. ”