yoga for scoliosis...yoga with scoliosis vs yoga for scoliosis long-term management of scoliosis...
TRANSCRIPT
Yoga for Scoliosis
TEACHING YOGA STUDENTS WITH SCOLIOSIS
About Me
Hi, I’m Christine Jaureguiberry and I love yoga! My scoliosis story My teachers: Elise Browning Miller (US), Judith
Hanson Lasater (US), Adelene Cheong (UK), Meredith Weiss (US) Schroth
My practice: inspired by BKS Iyengar, Vanda Scaravelli & Donna Farhi
Dedicated YouTube channel since 2017 Working with Yoga for Scoliosis students on a 1:1 and
small group basis in person and online since 2015
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Part 1 – Understanding Scoliosis
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What is scoliosis
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine which is accompanied by rotation
Functional vs structural scoliosis
Dextroscoliosis (to the right)
Levoscoliosis (to the left)
Concave vs convex
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Scoliosis facts
2-3% of population
30% of scoliosis patients have a family history of scoliosis
Curve progression (cobb angle & age)
A progressive curve left untreated can cause lunge, heart and neurological complications
what to look out for
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Body shifted to the side
Uneven shoulders
Uneven hips
Prominent shoulder blade / rib hump
Types of curves
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X-rays
Left lumbar,
right thoracic
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X-rays
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Scoliosis is 3 Dimensional
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Rotation
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Physiological & Emotional challenges
Physical pain
Digestive problems, breathing problems
Insomnia
Feeling imbalanced
Broken, ashamed, insecure (rib hump!)
Dependent
Physical & emotional trauma
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Part 2 – How you can help as a teacher
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Benefits of yoga
Improve posture, strengthen Flexibility Improve mobility Correcting proprioception Body awareness Reducing stress and anxiety Confidence, self acceptance Empowering: Yoga is something you can do yourself! Correcting curvature? Optimizing posture & alignment
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Potential problems with yoga
Everything is done equally on both sides
Twists
Backbends (RASO)
Forward bends
Side bends
Headstands, shoulderstands
If practicing without awareness students might increase the imbalance as the already strong muscles will do all the work
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Students in Group classes
Spinal fusion – explain principles or suggest a few 1:1 sessions Ask them to speak to their doctor Cue head to tail connection Bring awareness to differences on right and left side It’s not about WHICH pose to practice it’s about HOW we practise the
pose! Encourage them to listen to their bodies! Caution with deep back bends and twists Get support if necessary
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Language and adjustments
Straight vs long
Establishing head to tail connection
Tightening vs opening
Guiding the breath
Soft touch (always ask permission)
Do not diagnose!
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Yoga with Scoliosis vs Yoga for Scoliosis
Long-term management of scoliosis where exercise is recommended (yoga does not replace other medical treatments!)
We work on developing breath awareness, lengthening and de-rotating the spine. We work on strengthening the body and core and realigning posture.
Due to the nature of scoliosis this means that the two sides of the body are usually addressed in a different way, meaning that arm or leg positions could be different to one side of the other or we hold poses longer on one side than the other.
Release muscles that are tight on one side and strengthen muscles that are weak. With regular practice muscle memory will help to realign the body and we generally feel taller and more balanced.
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Source: Karena Thek
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Part 3 – Spinal Fusion
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Spinal Fusion
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Different types of spinal fusion
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Spinal fusion movement principles
Neutral spine – i.e. bend from the hips
Careful with twists, spinal flexion and extension
Careful with junction of the fusion
No flexion in lumbar spine
Use modifications: Warrior 1, Supine Twist, Cobra Pose
Sun Salutations
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Resources & further reading
Yoga for Scoliosis – Elise Browning Miller Pathways to a Centered Body - Donna Farhi National Scoliosis Foundation (USA) http://www.scoliosis.org/ Scoliosis Association (UK) https://www.sauk.org.uk/ Dr Loren Fishman - https://sciatica.org/ 90 minute webinar YogaUOnline course https://yogauonline.com/yogau-product/5776 Karena Thek https://osteopilates.com/scolio-pilates/scoliosis-syndrome-karena-thek/ RASO & Hypermobility
https://openorthopaedicsjournal.com/VOLUME/11/PAGE/1466/FULLTEXT/#r67 YouTube / Instagram
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CPD course – Spinal Fusion & Scoliosis
Caroline Freedman – The Scoliosis Handbook
Do’s & don’t for spinal fusion
For health & fitness professionals, parents and patients
CPD with CIMSPA
£145
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Yoga for Scoliosis Practice Transformation
Learn how to create your own home practice
Lifetime access to videos, educational content and practice sheets
4 weeks of support
4 LIVE Q&A / practice sessions
Access to private Facebook group
£350 / approx. $470
https://www.yogaberry.net/4-weeks-yoga-for-scoliosis
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Thank you!
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