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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