SYTAR 2017 Empowerment through Yoga in Everyday Life for Youth with Scoliosis. Spacial Relations and Me

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1 Spacial Relations and Me Often young teens first learn about their scoliosis and are brought to yoga with the help of parents and health care professionals. The worries of the parents for the youth s future health are often transferred to the youth. It has been my experience in working with pre-teens and teens with scoliosis that putting them at ease with their body and condition, all the while addressing it in a preventative way through empowerment, is the key. Utthita Hasta Padasana in Doorway Utthita Hasta Padasana in Doorway correct with feedback This practicum identifies accessible yoga therapeutic techniques that may be applied both in the yoga practice room setting as well as in the home or school environment throughout the day. This practical approach will serve the following objectives: 1. to help the youth to feel well and confident with themselves and their condition 2. to help reduce anxieties, and 3. to provide application of yoga therapeutic techniques to address the scoliosis in their every day lives. 1

2 Getting Started with Standing Asana Utthita Hasta Padasana with foot at wall Establish stability and confidence one leg at a time. Parsva Hasta Padasana with back foot at wall Establish stability and confidence one leg at a time. Virabhadrasana II Access the spine thru the feet and legs with wall. Eye contact is a requirement. 2

3 Making Use of the World Around us to Align and Create Space Ardha Uttanasana on railing Spinal traction is created thanks to legs and side body extension. Adjustments for traction and to guide ribs dorsal/opposite frontal for S or C curves. Tadasana on corner Bring awareness to straighten spine and stand tall. Ardha Uttanasana on kitchen counter Spinal traction is created thanks to legs and side body extension. Adjustments for traction and to guide ribs dorsal/opposite frontal for S or C curves. 3

4 Blocked in to Uplift Utthita Trikonasana Utthita Trikonasana When blocked in one: Gains access to both sides of spine evenly through both feet and legs. Strengthens the legs. Stabilizes the pelvic girdle and base of the spine. Utthita Parsvakonasana Utthita Parsvakonasana Reorientation of curve with arms. Lateral extension on short side thru arms 4

5 Access Curve through Arms and Shoulder Girdle Virabhadrasana 1 adjustment Adjustment for action of bottom edge of shoulder blade on side of curve. Virabhadrasana 1 Learns to lift the trunk up evenly. Is sure collarbones are broad. Virabhadrasana 1 facing wall Connects shoulder blades to bring chest parallel to the wall through the use of arms. The wall provides a fulcrum to lift the trunk and the chest. 5

6 Sitting in Chair as Asana Chair Use 1 Lift chest. Shoulder blade action individualized through arms. Chair use 2 with block for thighs Press through feet and connect evenly with block to stabilize hips. Bharadvajasana in chair Lift and turn to remove fatigue and create space. 6

7 Back Bends Easy Peasy for Youth Dhanurasana Develops strength and stability through legs, pelvic girdle, arms and shoulder girdle. Urdhva Dhanurasana Develops strength and stability through legs, pelvic girdle, arms and shoulder girdle. Urdhva Dhanurasana with wall for feet Frontal spine extension brings freedom and courage. Feet at wall stabilizes pelvic girdle. A chest opener makes one ready to move forward confidently. 7

8 Life with a Bolster Gives a Boost Supta Baddha Konasana Restorative asana revitalize and mold the trunk thanks to bolster and gravity. Chair Sarvangasana Bolster provides space for neck. Connects hands with chair and moves the arms to make the shoulder blades even and lift the chest. Chair provides alignment in hips especially SI joint when feet are active. Notes: Establishing eye contact is essential when working with youth. Not only for the purpose of communication, but also to help awaken the lazy eye prevalent in scoliosis, aiding comprehension and alignment. Forward extensions: lower back and hamstrings in youth are naturally short due to the growth process. Create space, strength and stability in standing, sitting, backbends, and twists first. Then, approach forward extensions with emphasis on frontal spine space before going forward. Setu Bandha Sarvangasana Play with bolster and couch the Yoga Student finds the asana on her own! The Yoga Student is 11 years old with S curve scoliosis. Her repertoire of asana not shown here are numerous. She especially enjoys padmasana cycle and rope Sirsasana. She has shown remarkable improvement since starting eight months ago. Her curve is less pronounced, her posture has improved, her timidity has left. She continues to grow with strength, courage and vitality incorporating yoga in her life. 8