Yoga for Scoliosis TEACHING YOGA STUDENTS WITH SCOLIOSIS - Yogaberry

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
                                                                                  Uneven shoulders
            Curve progression (cobb angle & age)
                                                       Body shifted to the side
            A progressive curve left untreated can                                Prominent shoulder
                                                                                   blade / rib hump
             cause lunge, heart and neurological
             complications
                                                           Uneven hips
            what to look out for

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Types of curves

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X-rays

                Left lumbar,
                right thoracic

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X-rays
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Rotation

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Adams Forward Bend Test

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Adams Forward Bend Test
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Adams Forward Bend Test
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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 – Do’s and Don’ts
                       for teachers

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Benefits of yoga for those with scoliosis

            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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Headstands?

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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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Adjustment Extended Puppy Pose

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Adjustment Triangle Pose

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Elongation!!

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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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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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