Just came home from family dinner, the first one since my training - its good to get some practice to explain what on earth yoga therapy is and how it is different to conventional yoga. I've been asked "isn't all yoga therapy?" - the answer is pretty loaded, and for those who are not in pain, or not in enough pain for it to really hinder their function throughout a conventional yoga practice then the answer is "yes, all yoga is therapy, if it feeds your soul, then yes it is therapy". HOWEVER, there are those people who have a lot of pain, debilitating pain, who cannot participate in a conventional yoga class. Chronic pain is a big one here. Unstable joints. Combination of factors.... Regardless, some of these people have either tried a yoga class and it didn't work for them, or are too afraid to try a yoga class... Enter Yoga Therapy.
The easiest way to try to explain Yoga Therapy is to liken it to if you were to go to your physiotherapist or your massage therapist - this is 1:1 therapy and each program is tailored to each individual. I am assessing movement of the major joints and exploring the compensation patterns associated with how an individual moves. Yogic principles of holistic healing through relaxation and breath are amazing tools; however a yoga therapy session does not look like your conventional yoga class.
I operate on the principles of Newton's 3rd Law of Physics - for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
- we all have gravity coming down on us
- at the same time, the earth emits a force through us to counteract gravity.
- when our joints are working appropriately, when there is enough space within them, when there is pure range of motion - the energy from the earth is able to travel through the body to balance gravity well.
- unfortunately, most of us have something going on in which our joints are not working optimally - therefore the earth's force does not balance gravity equally - and we run into problems. We compensate for a lack of movement, we have pain, we have tension... the list continues. Gravity starts to win....
Yoga therapy brings that optimal movement through the joints back.
How? A combination of small, controlled movement exercises coupled with hands on movement training. We are re-training movement here. This is unique to every individual.
The movements are small, but by really stripping away the tension and getting back to basics, the body opens and expands naturally. Restoring the balance of gravity to ground force. You may grow a bit through out this process! It is amazing!
My first case study: Meet Daniel - my husband. Electrician, baritone saxophone player, cook, and dog walker... (he is much more than that, but you get the gist.... love this guy). Dan has been complaining of neck pain and left wrist pain. In addition, when he gets into any high impact activity his right hip starts to hurt (the site of a previous hip fracture 9 years ago... that's a whole other story). I started Dan on his back in his first session. Assessed movement in his shoulder blades - they were quite stuck. In addition, assessed his pelvic stability - this was a little on the shaky side. Second session today - we have successfully started to unstick the shoulder blades, this is a work in progress; however, he has started to use the muscles that are designed to do the job! As a result his neck pain and disappeared and he has not complained of left wrist pain. hmmm this is curious.... its all connected..... His hip stability has started to improve as well and we will continue to explore as his body opens up.
Finally, on to me. I taught 2 classes today - a power and a gentle hatha. I was using my pure movement principles and it was so cool! I felt a little like a fish out of water, but the feedback I got was "Robyn, the movements we did were quite small but WOW were they effective!".... I guess that is what pure movement will do for ya!
Went a little to far in warrior one during a demo in class, but was able to use it as an example. Heated my back and took it easy, I'm pain free now. My body is really starting to unravel (in a good way) in terms of tension and as a result I'm noticing a lot less pain, it is quite a relief. Anyways I'm off to my yoga room to get in a session before bed. I know I will sleep very well.
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