RA is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints. It causes joint damage and pain and can affect other organ systems as well like the lungs, heart and brain. Traditionally, yoga has been known for its physical and mental well-being benefits.

Most of us think of inflammation as the redness and swelling that follow a wound, infection or injury, such as an ankle sprain, or from overdoing a sport, "tennis elbow," for example. This is "acute" inflammation, a beneficial immune system response that encourages healing, and usually disappears once the injury improves.