Pre and post transplant people lose a great deal of muscle in many areas of the body, and the quadriceps are just one of many. Most of this debilitation is due to lack of exercise which can also be elevated by chronic infections. The quadriceps are the largest muscles in our bodies and require a great deal of oxygen to perform and will deteriorate quickly if we are inactive. When our muscles are fit and toned, they require less oxygen and function more efficiently. You can do this exercise on the floor, in your bed or couch with pillows removed. It will prepare you for eventual walking or the treadmill work that is so necessary for pre and post transplant people.

The room, again, is free of distractions. Begin to systematically relax each and every part of your body wth gentle suggestion. Lie there in this most wonderful state of relaxation observing how soft and gentle the breathing is now just by asking the body to slow down and enjoy the moment. There is no where to go, nothing to do, just be. Now is the time to appreciate the body for its capabilities even though the body has failed us, acknowledge its strength and ability to overcome extreme difficulties. Always move and stretch with care and consideration for the body.

- Lying on your back either on the floor or flat in your bed, or couch, if necessary.

- Bend your knees and place both feet on the floor about 12 inches apart and and approximately 16 inches from your buttocks. Allow the arms to rest on the floor in an A-line position with palms up. When palms are down, we tend to grip the floor and use the hands. When they face upward, it is much easier to relax that part of your body. Our objective here is to isolate the movement in the lower body as we keep the upper body competely relaxed.

- Gently press your feet into the floor as you slowly bring your lumbar spine to find the floor. Maintain this position throughout the exercise unless you are relaxing in between sets. This position protects our back from strain and a beginning toning action for the abdominals.

- Allow your left leg to straighten to the floor in a relaxed manner, keeping your right foot on the floor with the spine tipped - soft belly breathing is good here. Close the eyes and focus on the muscles you are about to use, the quadriceps. We will breathe differently as lung sufferers than the average yoga practitioner whenever we need to lift an arm or a leg. The thoracic muscles are working very hard when we inhale. Therefore, if we inhale at the same time we lift the leg, which not only is a large muscle but weighty as well, we would be depleting the body of oxygen or energy. Yoga replenishes the body with the life force by the concentrated effort of proper breathing.

- Flatten your left foot so that you feel a pleasant stretch at the back of the leg - the toes will face the ceiling. Remember never any strain or discomfortable - always listening to your body’s signals. Take a deep breath in. As you exhale simultaneously VERY SLOWLY lift your left leg up ONLY as high as your right knee. No further. Continue soft belly breathing. Take another deep breath in and SLOWLY lower your left leg to the floor. Fully relax. IT IS NECESSARY THAT WE DO NOT GO BEYOND THE RIGHT KNEE AS WE WILL LOSE THE BENEFIT TO THE THIGH MUSCLE AS THE HIP MUSCLES WILL TAKE OVER. Do this movement until the quadricep is tired. So, for some of us it may be l or 2 lifts and others could go on to l0, 15 or even more. It is all up to your body’s capabilities.

- For those who know you can do several, when you return your leg to the floor, do not rest it on the floor, but hold the leg about an inch from the floor and begin to lift it up again in line with your right knee. Follow the breathing if it is comfortable for you and do as many as you can until the muscle tires. This instruction is given as a challenge for those who are in good shape and want to maintain. After completing all the sets that you can do comfortably, fully relax your body, before you work the other side. Relaxation and breathing is critical here. A good measure of when you are fully rested and can go on is when the breath slows down and softens completely. All muscles are then ready and have enough oxygen to proceed.

- Maintain a softness to the rest of your body as you work these thighs and allow the work to be done totally in the quadriceps. A daily routine of leg lifts is recommended for all even if you’re bedridden . It’s a preparation for walking and treadmill work.

ENJOY!

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