A Glasgow woman is taking a stand - on her head - and continuing her active lifestyle despite living with a long-term health condition.

Krishna Alexander was a keen runner and took part in regular gym classes including body pump, spinning and aerobics before her diagnosis with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2016.

The former bank worker, 52, feared the illness would negatively impact her fitness routine, as she began to experience common MS symptoms such as problems with her balance and coordination and brain fog.

But instead, she turned her perception of exercise on its head and took on new challenges which she can achieve. 

Glasgow Times:

As this week marks MS Awareness Week, Krishna, from Newlands, has opened up about her experience.

She said: “I found the first few years after my diagnosis very difficult and often got very depressed.

"That was until I accepted that life had changed, and though I couldn’t do everything I once did, there are still many things I CAN do.

“I couldn’t use the gym for running (which I’d always enjoyed doing) but I could use it for walking on the treadmill instead.

"I know walking on a treadmill doesn’t sound that exciting but when I put on the music, and increase the incline, I feel very happy.

"I’m sure that’s why they call endorphins the happy hormone – after the first few minutes of walking I can feel myself smiling! I used to think it was the speed that I enjoyed but I now know, it’s the exercise – no matter how slow.”

As well as regularly going swimming, which she says makes her legs feel like "jelly" but gives her a wonderful weightless feeling – Krishna also began doing yoga despite her struggles with balance.

She said: “I find great solace in practising yoga. It’s a great mood enhancer for me.

“I miss it if I haven’t done some yoga in the day. I really did think that with my lack of balance and coordination it would be impossible for me to be able to do it, but it’s amazing the number of adaptive yoga classes that are available – in person but also online.

“And props can help anyone achieve the poses that yoga is known for. The half-moon is now a breeze and headstands are possible with a little assistance from my husband."

Glasgow Times:

To mark MS Awareness Week, Krishna is joining MS Society Scotland as well as six other charities – Shift.MS, MS Trust, MS-UK, Overcoming MS and MS Therapy Centres – to encourage others with the condition to focus on mental wellbeing.

It is important for people with MS – of which there are over 15,000 in Scotland – to openly discuss how the disease makes them feel, think, or act.

People can express their views on social media using the hashtag MSMakesMe, and Krishna has chosen: “MS makes me more empathetic.”

Morna Simpkins, Director of MS Society Scotland, said: “MS is relentless, painful and disabling. It is also unpredictable and different for everyone.

“For many people, living with a long-term health condition like MS has a negative impact on their mental well-being.

“It’s important we talk about our mental health and seek help when we need it.”

Speaking about the impact of an active lifestyle on her mindset, Krishna added: “Exercising keeps me from thinking too much about the disease and the limitations I now have to face.

“Keeping myself active is essential for my well-being. I know MS is a devastating and horrible disease, but I won’t let it dictate what I can enjoy. I just need to know, and accept, my limits.”