Table Of Content“When knowledge and experience can come together, it can synthesize
something beautiful. Garth McLean’s book is a testament to precisely that.
This book is honest, clear and straightforward. It creates channels of
hope, courage and confidence for those affected by MS. …very well laid out
and neatly categorized…”
—Abhijata Iyengar
“In Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis, Garth McLean captures the true essence
that adopting a yoga practice can have for a practitioner at any level—the
potential for transformation of body and mind.
Steeped in his own personal experience with MS, Garth shares his
journey in a clear, compassionate and accessible way. Others who may
struggle with the challenges of MS are offered a pathway to help overcome
obstacles of a frightening and unpredictable health challenge.
Coupled with his personal experience with Iyengar Yoga, McLean
offers an invaluable resource punctuated with illuminative photographs
and skillful insight to further aid practitioners, yoga teachers and other
professionals.
Underpinned by yogic philosophy, this exciting resource transcends
the physical practice, offering any student of yoga hope in times of
uncertainty.”
—Patricia Walden, Advanced Senior Iyengar Yoga Teacher
“Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis looks like many other Iyengar-based books:
detailed instructions, many photos, adaptations and, of course, props. The
magic is McLean’s uses of his embodied theater sensibility to bring the
reader into the lived experience of MS. What a treasure for students and
professionals to glimpse the ups and downs of yoga and MS in a way that
breathes life into a powerful guide that’s not just for MS, but every yoga
practice.”
—Matthew J. Taylor, PT, PhD, C-IAYT. past President of IAYT,
author of Yoga Therapy as a Creative Response to Pain,
and director of SmartSafeYoga
“This book by Garth McLean is a boon for yoga teachers as well individuals
with multiple sclerosis (MS). Garth’s rare experience as a patient of MS,
an Iyengar Yoga practitioner as well as teacher is beautifully reflected
in this well-balanced, illustrated step-by-step approach in his book. A
neurological condition which expresses in one’s youth can be quite stressful
and demotivating but the book will provide new hopes and means to lead
a happy life.”
—Rajvi H Mehta, Editor of Yoga Rahasya and teacher of
Iyengar Yogashraya, Mumbai
“What an amazingly good, useful, valuable and impressive work and
service! Garth’s life story is exemplary in his chosen path of Iyengar Yoga to
help him thrive with MS—an inspiration for everyone! His book is clearly
presented for anyone to follow and understand. The black and white
photos are clear and clarifying. Above all, it will greatly benefit those with
MS to take up a practice that will enhance their lives as well as for yoga
teachers to help guide their students who have MS. This book is clearly a
classic that will keep on giving.”
—Lois Steinberg, PhD, CIYT Advanced 2, C-IAYT
“This is such a well-written, educational and inspiring book that I can highly
recommend it for students and teachers in any lineage, not just Iyengar.
In addition, Garth’s honesty and thoroughness about his comprehensive,
integrative approach to managing his disease lends to the credibility and
value of this book.”
—John Kepner, Executive Director,
International Association of Yoga Therapists
Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis
of related interest
Qigong for Multiple Sclerosis
Finding Your Feet Again
Nigel Mills
ISBN 978 1 84819 019 1
eISBN 978 0 85701 029 2
Chair Yoga
Seated Exercises for Health and Wellbeing
Edeltraud Rohnfeld
Illustrated by Edeltraud Rohnfeld
ISBN 978 1 84819 078 8
eISBN 978 0 85701 056 8
Yoga Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
and Multiple Sclerosis
Jean Danford
ISBN 978 1 84819 299 7
eISBN 978 0 85701 249 4
Yoga and
Multiple Sclerosis
A Practical Guide for People
with MS and Yoga Teachers
GARTH MCLEAN
Foreword by Hart C.M. Cohen, MD, FRCPC
First published in Great Britain in 2021 by Singing Dragon,
an imprint of Jessica Kingsley Publishers
An Hachette Company
1
Copyright © Garth McLean 2021
The right of Garth McLean to be identified as the Author of the Work has been
asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Foreword copyright © Hart C.M. Cohen 2021
Photographs copyright © Laura Kunin 2021
Cover page photos by Xu Zhang.
All quotes from BKS Iyengar are reproduced with kind permission from Allied Publishers.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the
publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which
it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this book is not intended to replace
the services of trained medical professionals or to be a substitute for medical
advice. The complementary therapy described in this book may not be suitable for
everyone to follow. You are advised to consult a doctor before embarking on any
complementary therapy program and on any matters relating to your health, and
in particular on any matters that may require diagnosis or medical attention.
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the
British Library and the Library of Congress
ISBN 978 1 78775 300 6
eISBN 978 1 78775 301 3
Printed and bound in Great Britain by TJ International Ltd
Jessica Kingsley Publishers’ policy is to use papers that are natural, renewable and recyclable
products and made from wood grown in sustainable forests. The logging and manufacturing
processes are expected to conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin.
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
73 Collier Street
London N1 9BE, UK
www.singingdragon.com
I dedicate this book to Dr. Geeta S. Iyengar, a compassionate
visionary and my beloved teacher, and of course to
her Guru and mine, Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar.
Acknowledgements
It is with deepest gratitude that I acknowledge Dr. Hart Cohen, Leslie
Peters for her ongoing support and commitment to helping others, Laura
Kunin Photography, Xu Zhang, Namastday Yoga Center, Beverly Hills
for studio use (namastday.com), the Iyengar family (Pune, India), all the
yoga teachers who have guided me along the path, and, of course, the many
students who have had a profound impact on my life through their quest
for health!
