How A Man Flow Yoga Member With Rheumatoid Arthritis Baffled His Rheumatologist (Member Highlight: Eddie Caliendo)

“After almost six months of doing [Man Flow Yoga], I am absolutely, positively convinced that if I didn’t get up every day and do my yoga and try to finish my day with it, I would be in pain. I’m on no medication for my [rheumatoid arthritis]. And my rheumatologist is just baffled!” 

20 years ago, Man Flow Yoga Member, Eddie Caliendo, got a dreaded diagnostic from his doctor: 

He had rheumatoid arthritis! 

For those unfamiliar, rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune condition where your body’s immune system starts attacking its own tissues and joints. In extreme cases, the immune system can also attack internal organs, causing quite the scare for its victims. Most cases of rheumatoid arthritis, despite being less severe than attacking your internal organs, leaves its sufferers constantly feeling pain, stiffness, and swelling. 

Most people with rheumatoid arthritis get medicine from their rheumatologist to mitigate their symptoms. And Eddie was no different. After receiving the diagnosis, his rheumatologist prescribed him medicine, and he continued living a mostly normal life. 

But then, last August, something more severe happened to Eddie:

He went to the doctor again, and tested positive for valley fever. Valley fever is an infection caused by a fungus called coccidioides. It’s found in soil, and causes an infection when inhaled, where symptoms include a fever, cough, chills, and chest pain. 

Now, most cases of valley fever are mild, and go away on their own. But valley fever is particularly harmful for those with weakened immune systems. And, since Eddie had been on an ultra-potent drug for his arthritis which weakened his immune system, he was at a greater risk from valley fever than the average person. 

So, his rheumatologist had no choice, other than taking Eddie off his arthritis medications. 

And—as Eddie told our team—he couldn’t have found Man Flow Yoga at a better time. 

Why Eddie joined Man Flow Yoga

For the past 30 years, Eddie worked in kitchens in various restaurants, until he opened up his own food business about 11 years ago. If you’ve worked in a kitchen before, then you know it’s a physically demanding job. And due to his rheumatoid arthritis and poor posture, he wasn’t able to do many of the tasks his job (and later, his business) required. 

For example, he had a bad lean towards his left hip, which manifested in being unable to lift pots and pans over his head. When he arrived home from work, the couch magnetized him because he couldn’t stand the aches and pains that came attached to his duties. 

Then, to make matters worse, his arthritis medication—the one thing that helped him feel some semblance of relief from his chronic pain—was stripped away from him due to testing positive for valley fever. 

Eddie knew his poor posture was heightening the aches and pains he felt on a daily basis. He remembered hearing somewhere that stretching his hip flexors could alleviate his poor posture, and thus, his inability to reach his arms over his head. 

And so, Eddie began doing some research into how to best stretch his hips and free himself from his pain. 

That’s when he stumbled across Man Flow Yoga, and decided to give it a try. 

Besides suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, Eddie also battled osteoarthritis in his right knee. 

But within 6 months of joining Man Flow Yoga, he not only began to manage the pain, but even evaded it completely! In fact, here’s what he told our team:

“After almost six months of doing [Man Flow Yoga], I am absolutely, positively convinced that if I didn’t get up every day and do my yoga and try to finish my day with it, I would be in pain. I’m on no medication for my [rheumatoid arthritis]. And my rheumatologist is just baffled!” 

If he wouldn’t have joined Man Flow Yoga after ditching his arthritis medication, he would’ve been in a world of pain. But now, thanks to committing to his yoga practice, he’s able to live a life (mostly) free of pain. 

Remember how I told you that Eddie had trouble lifting empty pots and pans over his head? Well, after joining Man Flow Yoga, not only can he do that with ease, but he can also toss 30 lb bags of cream cheese and butter over his head. He’s able to get through his work day without crashing on the couch in immense pain at the end of the day. And these are just the physical benefits he’s enjoyed from Man Flow Yoga… they are far from the only benefits he got from signing up. 

The 6 non-physical benefits Man Flow Yoga brought Eddie 

Most people curious about yoga are mostly after the physical benefits. And Eddie is a prime example of that. 

He was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis in his right knee. His lack of flexibility and mobility interfered with running his business. After spending all day in his business, he would collapse on the couch from pain and exhaustion. 

And 6 months of being consistent with Man Flow Yoga reversed many of these problems. 

His pain rarely stops him from functioning. He has more stamina during (and after) work. And he did all this without medication for his rheumatoid arthritis. 

But he’s also noticed 6 massive, non-physical benefits since joining Man Flow Yoga too. 

1. Mental calmness. 

Running a business is a stress-inducing job. Being in charge of everything hoists an incredible amount of responsibility on your shoulders. And calmness is often one of the first things you lose when you start a business. 

This used to be the case for Eddie too. But ever since joining Man Flow Yoga, he feels more calm and peaceful than he remembers. Obstacles and roadblocks just don’t aggravate him as much as they used to. In fact, he frequently notices himself driving under the speed limit—something he never did—instead of constantly speeding everywhere he needed to go. 

2. Better sleep.

Eddie also noticed that Man Flow Yoga helped him get better sleep. He can fall asleep easier on days when he does a Man Flow Yoga workout. And he wakes up feeling more refreshed and motivated. 

3. Mental (and physical) awareness. 

Not only has Man Flow Yoga helped Eddie become more aware of his body—like when he’s slipping into his old, lean-on-his-left-hip habit—but it’s also helped him become more aware of his mental wellbeing. 

He’s not the only person who noticed this stark change, either. People who know Eddie also noticed that he feels like a happier guy, day in and day out. 

4. Breathing. 

Man Flow Yoga has also helped Eddie take his breathing more seriously. Breathing is often neglected, but it’s a secret weapon for battling stress, eliminating worry, and keeping you in good spirits. 

Eddie felt all of these benefits from his Man Flow Yoga membership.

5. Sexual activity. 

As he got more flexible, mobile, and improved his stamina, Eddie enjoyed having better sex. This is a common experience for Man Flow Yoga Members that catches many of them—and especially their spouses—off guard.

6. Consistency. 

This benefit might’ve been the most unexpected for Eddie. He never dedicated a ton of time to his fitness. But whenever he did try to focus on it, he was inconsistent. He never stuck to a structured program or modality. And his inconsistency sabotaged his momentum before he had a chance to build it. 

That also changed by signing up for Man Flow Yoga. Now, he schedules the next 45 days of workouts in the Man Flow Yoga app. 

Why Eddie wants you to join Man Flow Yoga

Despite his rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in his right knee, Eddie told us that he’s never felt or looked stronger. And he wants the same for anyone considering yoga as a way to free themselves from their pain—whether chronic or temporary. 

He’s happier, calmer, and more present now too. That’s why he convinces everyone he knows—and even people he hasn’t met yet, *cough* *cough* like you as you read his incredible story—to sign up for Man Flow Yoga. 

I’ll leave you with this final quote from Eddie: 

“I’ve been struggling so bad with my rheumatoid arthritis for the past 20 years. And this is the first time I’m managing it really, really well. But I’m not on medication. And that’s the thing that’s just making me uber eager to share Man Flow Yoga—and my story—with the world.”

Ready To Try Man Flow Yoga & Eliminate Your Aches And Pains? 

If you’d like to give Man Flow Yoga a test and duplicate Eddie’s results, you can sign up for your 7-day free trial below: 

Start your 7-day free trial to Man Flow Yoga here. 

Already a Man Flow Yoga member? Share your story with other men like you by booking a Member Stories call at  https://manflowyoga.com/member-highlights-signup.