Yoga Therapy for Chronic Disease

Yoga therapy work targets relieving muscle tension deep in the body. This gentle practice works on muscles on the surface layers of the body, but also relieves tension deep in the pelvis and through the layers of muscle and fascia on the inner side of the spine, between the spine, and the internal organs. Where there is less tension, there is more space for the internal organs to function appropriately – more blood and nutrients can flow more easily to all parts of the body, decreasing inflammation and increasing ease.

Stress and tension in the body is one of the root causes of disease, and therefore yoga therapy can help alleviate a number of physical discomforts – for example, problems related to poor circulation, digestion, elimination, low energy, depression, and any sort of pain. From this place of ease and relaxation, the yoga therapist and client can work to gently strengthen and improve balance, therefore improving endurance and balance – leading to increase quality of life, increase participation in activities of daily living, and decrease falls.

Everyone’s journey throughout yoga therapy is different, so while this practice may not be used in direct place of prescription medications, it can work wonders alongside them. Our intension within the yoga therapy practice is to become more familiar with the patterns of dysfunction within the body, by bringing awareness into these realities (which are often unconscious to start with) yoga therapy can serve as a brilliant preventative measure. In this way, for some clients, yoga therapy can decrease the frequency and/or amount of medications required to alleviate a symptom of pain.

Yoga therapy is a practice which provides insight into your reality with chronic disease or chronic pain. This is difficult. Often we don’t want to go there. However, but bringing in some awareness to your everyday reality you can start to be proactive about symptoms management rather than reactive. Yoga Therapy provides a number of strategies unique to your own body to help with this.

*** Interested to learn more and participate in a custom yoga program specific to your body and your needs?? Contact me!
Robyn Emde
www.robynemde.com
778 989 3847

References

Carson, J., Carson, K., Jones, K., Bennett, R., Wright, C., & Mist, S. (2010) A pilot randomized controlled trial of the Yoga of Awareness program in the management of fibromyalgia. Pain; 151 (2): 530 DOI

European League Against Rheumatism (2011). Significant benefits of yoga in people with rheumatoid arthritis, study shows. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 19, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2011/05/110526064641.htm

Indiana University (2011, June 4). Yoga helps older stroke victims improve balance, endurance, study suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 20, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2011/06/110604181903.htm

Ohio State University (2010). Yoga reduces cytokine levels known to promote inflammation, study shows. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 19, 2011, from
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100111122643.htm

Schreiber, J. (2011). Yoga improves mood, reduces inflammation and relieves chronic diseases. Natural News. Retrieved November 20, 2011 from http://www.naturalnews.com/031721_yoga_mood.html#ixzz1eIZ6DXJE

Schrun, C. (2004). Yoga Therapy for Chronic Diseases: Discovering Yoga’s Health Benefits. Iowa Source. Retrieved November 19, 2011, from http://www.iowasource.com/health/health_1004.html

Streeter, C., Whitfield, T., Owen, L., Rein, T., Karri, S., Yakhkind, A., Perlmutter, R., Prescot, A., Renshaw, P., Ciraulo, D., Jensen. J. (2010) Effects of Yoga Versus Walking on Mood, Anxiety, and Brain GABA Levels: A Randomized Controlled MRS Study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine; 16 (11): 1145 DOI

Streeter et al. Effects of Yoga Versus Walking on Mood, Anxiety, and Brain GABA Levels: A Randomized Controlled MRS Study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010

Temple University (2008, April 4). Yoga Poses Can Prevent Falls In Women Over 65, Study Suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 20, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2008/04/080404114445.htm

University of Alberta (2010). Special yoga classes aimed at breast cancer survivors improves recovery. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 20, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100817111835.htm

University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (2011, May 18). Yoga improves quality of life in women with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy, study finds. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 20, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2011/05/110518181257.htm

Day 24 - the core conversation, time to get real kids...

So, as previously stated I was very happy to have participated in Susi Hately's "Bio Mechanics of the Core" workshop.

This was a good one, especially as there are so many myths surrounding the core - how to engage it, what it is for, what muscles do what, what yoga cues to use - and the list goes on and on.

I'm going to zero in on the main point that really hit home for me. It does not matter if you have a 6 pack - if you have back pain, you do not have good core. That's it. You cannot be a little bit pregnant, just as you cannot have a little bit of back pain and have good core. Sorry.

Now we all do a lot of work to keep ourselves physically fit and active, especially in the yoga world, and yet many of us have pain. Many many of us have back pain. What gives....?!

First, I feel that this is a conversation about language. What exactly is the core? Its not the 6 pack (and if you your definition of core is the 6 pack, well then we are talking about 2 separate parts of the body).... but stay with me.

The core's purpose (or the main one in this conversation) is to provide segmental stability to the spine. This being said, a stable spine = a stable relationship between the legs, hips, pelvis, shoulder blades, and everything in between. When we have this, we have good core. When there is a congruency between all of these structures, good core in inherent. when you have ease in the legs connected to the pelvis, and spine can be supple without gripping - THAT is good core. Pain free!!!

OK so what muscles are we talking about then... well there are a whole load in that sense, but the congruent "local" core muscles are those deep deep ones of the pelvic floor, transverse abs, and multifidus muscles surrounding the spine. Together these provide an inter-abdomial pressure, which then supports the spine. These muscles are so deep that to get a pure contraction to contribute to "core", they are likely "evoked" by other means - they are innately turned on in the movements of yoga (when we are practicing appropriately for our bodies).
The tendency for many of us (myself included), is for the power muscles i.e. the 6 pack to take over. But here is the thing, if we over work the power muscles in an attempt to get inner core stability, we are only creating a HARD outer shell that acts as a mask for a really dysfunctional core.
This is why when we do a whole load of crunches, we can still have back pain. Rock hard abs, and back pain.... not good core. Rock hard abs - YES, but are they functional at supporting the spine? not so much. Its that whole house of cards thing....

Oh and don't forget to breath... Cause a restricted breath in conjunction with a 6 pack, is also not core...

So with all of this in mind..... My yoga therapy practice. Now I have to admit that I went a little too hard recently, and I'm feeling it. Always a lesson.....
I started with my usual block/strap (like an old friend now), and then got into a little orifice breathing to connect me to my pelvic floor (also, like an old friend now). I got into a little butterfly - knees wide, feet hip width - 4 breaths out, 12 breath in - with a quiet pelvis.
From here, legs up the wall, feet on the wall in line with knees. Pressing into the wall, while keeping a neutral pelvis and spine - let the evoking of the core begin... then I got into de-weighting with my feet on the wall, this is effective... Hip opening series, and more core evoking with feet on the wall.
Up to stand - modified natarj (yoga therapy style) - got my abductors into it, but fancy that, I was feeling a little core evoking there too... hmmm I feel like I'm getting the hang of this...
From there onto twists, first sitting, and then standing - one leg on the chair. From there I experiment, can I keep my pelvis quiet while lifting one foot up to the chair, left right left right left right... oh and there is that evoking sensation.

How do I know this? I feel LIGHTER! and my pain is going down.

From here, more experimentation - high crescent lunge (pretty small stance considering... but it worked), cactus arms, and twist to the front leg, sssssllllooooowwwwwllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyy. Hmm that turns up the heat! Always being mindful of the easy breath, quiet pelvis, and no gripping. Wow that is a lot to think about, so guess what, I stop thinking and just feel it all. My body is hummin'.

Back to the floor, onto a Z fold for some shoulder blade arm mobilization and then a nice savasana legs up the wall.

This was a great session. I was all about hip stability and core - really for one to happen appropriately, the other has to be along for the ride. But it is interesting to reflect on how many times in the past I had been in, say down dog, and really not had any core engagement. As a result, my hyper mobile spine shows up, I sway back and disconnect from my rib cage so much that I could almost touch my lower ribs to the floor.... Looked kind of cool, sort of.... BUT no wonder I have a history of back pain - that is SO MUCH shearing on the low spine it is not even funny. So I was able to get into this pose, but at what expense??

So how do I feel now? My pain is down, a lot. Thank goodness. I'm on the quest for good core. I may throw myself a celebration when this becomes a more consistent part of my reality. But for now, and always, I enjoy the journey. Marvel at the body and what it has to teach me.

Also, I'm pretty sure that there are quite a few movements that I explored today which I will be sharing with a client of mine in a private yoga therapy session tomorrow.

Yoga therapy challenge - day 23 ish?

I just realized that I have not blogged about my 4th week of my yoga therapy challenge.... Perhaps that is a good sign...? Its nice not to have pain to think about...!
BUT I will get my last 7 days up on the blog, starting now.

Vancouver Yoga Conference was great, though I did participate in a power yoga class, and honestly, it was more than what my body has capasity for. So, it is a good time for me to continue with my yoga therapy journey.

Today - legs up the wall, hip opening series, pressing into the wall, de- weighting with my legs pressing into the wall to start. I came back to my hip opening series and noticed I had some gains on both sides - interestingly enough my left side has a lot more range than my right. Curious.... standing to the wall - modified Natarj, de-weighting away from the wall in standing, and finished off with hip extension and abduction with a quiet pelvis facing the wall.

Interesting to present the body with a new stimulus and see how quickly it can respond and change. I have notice some un-evenness from left to right, and I feel as though my session today started to address this.

At the same time, I am amazed at my progress since last September. Susi and I were talking about where I was at and the leaps and bound I have made are wonderful! I am attending regular hatha classes - participating without pain! Getting into class has been great, but it has been a bit of an "ego butt kick" as there are poses that I know, at this point, are just not a good idea (ex. wheel and head stand). I can do them, but at what expense.... I will get there faster if I stay within my appropriate range rather than ploughing through. I used to do this.... Ego was happy, but my body was not...

I've made the choice, I don't have to live in pain!

Vancouver Yoga Conference

Vancouver Yoga Conference this past weekend at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Yoga garden, yoga vendors, ooommm coming from all directions, & a busy/happy/joyful energy. What a great time!

I caught up with my friends at Halfmoon Yoga Products - providing props and love to everyone in the yoga garden!

I was able to get in 2 workshops with my mentor Susi Hately - from Functional Synergy therapeutic yoga!
1. Bio mechanics of the core
2. Considerations for cancer survivors

In addition, I was privileged to assist Susi for her workshop on managing back pain. We had a blast. 7 great yogis who have had back pain and/or have yoga students who have back pain.  We covered a great range of topics throughout the day including: what back pain is all about - how the pain is manifestation of dysfunction occurring elsewhere in the body, exploring default patterns, discovering leg bone to pelvis connection, as well as pelvis to spine connection, and spine to shoulder blades connection - how these can all have potential to cause discomfort or pain depending on how congruent these connections are. It was a wonderful day of exploration!

I am excited to share insights from the other workshops in further blog posts.

When I got home, my husbands tells me that he can barely move his neck.... well it is a good thing his wife is a yoga therapist. We have a date in the yoga room in about 5 minutes.... poor guys is a menace on the road as he is having trouble making shoulder checks.... I'll be working with him for the good of all the drivers in our local area..!

Living your life! Go for it!

Just finished up with my last yoga therapy client this evening.

A skeptic, but open as nothing has worked for him this far. With this gentle practice, there is absolutely no harm in trying something different.
Conversations re: traditional western philosophy of "no pain no gain" and "go big or go home"..... but we are often still in pain! So my question to you: is this working for you? able to do all the things you need to do, want to do, or are expected to do in your life??  hmmm

If yes, then carry on with your life, I am thrilled for you! Keep on living your life!
If no, we can continue the conversation about relieving tension to facilitate healing and efficiency within your body mechanics. Decrease compensations which have potential to become painful experiences.
Keep on living your life!

See I love this because no matter what your answer, I am always going to encourage you to do the activities that you love, or that you need to do/expected to do. Live your life! Seriously, go for it! But what would it be like if you could take some time for you to facilitate efficient and pain free movement?!

So for my client this evening, we were able to quiet down the spasms in his back and legs, identify compensations, bring awareness to the breath, and during relaxation "I felt like I was floating"! Home practice: a find a place to relax at home, a couple of simple hip stability exercises, breath, and awareness to breath throughout everyday life.

It is always a pleasure privilege to help someone out of pain!