By Bhavan Kumar
Some people are under the impression that they cannot practice Yoga if they suffer from scoliosis. However, Yoga poses can improve posture, and many have even chosen Hatha Yoga for scoliosis as an adjunct therapy. If this is something you are considering, consult your doctor before beginning a new regimen, as each scoliosis patient and each student is unique. Gentle and therapeutic forms of Yoga often use props and are designed to help students make steady progress without using force.
Learning How to Align Your Body
Many new students learn that a Yoga pose requires you to fold from the hips, not the waist. This helps the spine stay in a neutral position. Two basic principles can help you to guide your Yoga practice. First, work on elongating the spine and stretch the muscles that have been made imbalanced. Second, practice the Yoga poses that help strengthens the spine and back. Proper alignment and posture modification can help with spinal imbalances caused by scoliosis.
Imbalances
Therapeutic Hatha Yoga for scoliosis can help address these imbalances because there are common patterns, even though each scoliosis patient is unique. The spine often moves to the side and rotates. This shift creates a rounded back; the ribs compress toward the front while the pelvis and lower back rotate toward the back. Yoga can help to relieve the discomfort brought on by the results of the curving spine.
Balance and Alignment
For example, compression in the vertebrae can cause one hip to be raised. This imbalance can be balanced with breath awareness and postures emphasizing hip alignment. Beginners often wonder if practicing Yoga for scoliosis will relieve their pain. While you may feel a small amount of discomfort when you begin, it is only because your body needs time to adjust to the new sense of balance and alignment. Over time, this pain diminishes, and Yoga can be practiced to control the pain you normally feel.
Pain Relief
Yoga poses and breathing techniques help to release painful muscle tension and relax the mind. In addition, as the body is strengthened, the extra burden is taken off the muscles throughout the day. As the spine is lengthened, less pain is created. While pain can occur when beginning classes, you should be aware that if it remains over an extended period, it is important to make your Yoga instructor and doctor aware of the issue.
Unique Needs
While Hatha Yoga can be therapeutic, you must pay extra attention to your unique needs if you have scoliosis. If you ignore what your body is telling you, there is a chance that the practice could be counterproductive. This is why you must study with an experienced Yoga instructor who will be able to make the necessary adjustments and modifications. With the right instructor, therapeutic Hatha Yoga can improve your mind and body while relieving some of the stress associated with scoliosis.
Establishing a Routine
Maintenance of a scoliosis-specific yoga practice is critical to skeletal health. Regular yoga practice can help to improve posture and reduce the risk of the progression of deformity. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider or certified yoga instructor before beginning any new exercise program. Yoga poses particularly beneficial for people with scoliosis include stretching and strengthening the back and shoulder muscles.
Lengthen the Spine
Poses that lengthen the spine can help reduce the curve’s appearance. Strengthening poses can help to support the spine and prevent further progression of the deformity. Regular yoga practice can also help to improve overall posture and reduce the likelihood of developing back pain. People with scoliosis often have poor posture due to the nature of the deformity.
Benefits
By improving posture, yoga can help to alleviate some of the strain on the spine. In addition to physical benefits, yoga can also help to improve mental and emotional well-being. The deep breathing and relaxation techniques learned in yoga can help to reduce stress and promote a sense of calm. This can be an invaluable benefit for people with scoliosis, who often deal with pain and frustration related to their condition.
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Yoga is a great form of exercise and is very therapeutic. However, it’s important for those with scoliosis to first consult their doctor. They may be limited in what they can do.
Namaskar!
It is important to consult your doctor if you have any pre-existing condition. I believe Bhavan wrote this article with safety in mind.
If you read the article again you will notice he wrote it with safety in mind. In the last paragraph he states: “While Hatha Yoga can be therapeutic, if you have scoliosis you need to pay extra attention to your unique needs. If you ignore what your body is telling you, there is a chance that the practice could actually be counterproductive.”
He never said jump in over your head in a power yoga class. The fact is: Yoga is therapeutic and can help the spine just like the brace you sell.
Hari Om Tat Sat
Therapeutic Hatha Yoga for scoliosis can help address these imbalances because, even though each scoliosis patient is unique, there are common patterns.
Beginners often wonder if practicing Yoga for scoliosis will relieve their pain.
While you may feel a small amount of discomfort when you begin,
it is only because your body needs time to adjust to the new sense of balance and alignment.
Beginners often wonder if practicing Yoga for scoliosis will relieve their pain. While you may feel a small amount of discomfort when you begin, it is only because your body needs time to adjust to the new sense of balance and alignment.