By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed
Teaching Yoga to students recovering from surgery or living with a chronic illness is an opportunity to let your knowledge of therapeutic Yoga practices guide you in leading your class through a creatively-sequenced set of poses, pranayama exercises and meditation practices that are specifically geared towards helping your physically challenged students heal from surgery, injuries or long standing chronic illnesses.
The Restorative Approach
Many Yoga poses may be done in a restorative fashion, which will further enhance the sense of profound relaxation that is often felt at the end of class when the vrittis or thought waves of the mind slow down or even stop for a period of time. The calming and eventual stilling of the mind is one of the most important aspects of Yoga practice, according to Pantanjali’s Yoga Sutras. In fact, it may even be said by some practitioners that the essence of all Yogic practice is to still the mind.
In the case of a Yoga student who is currently struggling with physical health issues, the calming of anxious thoughts and frustration over their health challenges will give the student a much needed break from the perpetual cycle of worry. Some Yogis or Yoginis may not struggle with anxiety or frustration over serious health issues, but many of us do, and a break from the cycle of anxious thoughts will help the body to quiet and rest, thereby facilitating the healing process.
Restorative Seated Forward Fold
Seated Forward Fold may be practiced restoratively or actively. Forward bending asanas are inherently calming to the mind. If the asana is practiced restoratively with a Yoga bolster, block and blanket, the mind will be further soothed as the leg and back muscles are allowed to release deeply-held tension and stress. In order to practice Seated Forward Fold in a restorative fashion, have your students bring a bolster or block to their mats and a blanket to sit on if their hips are tight.
How to Practice
To begin, instruct your students to sit on their mats in a straddle position and place either a Yoga bolster (preferred) or a block lengthwise between their legs. With an inhale, ask your students to raise their arms overhead and with the next exhale, reach forward over the prop and drape their arms on either side of the bolster or block, while resting their foreheads comfortably on whichever prop they are using.
The prop should be high enough so that your Yoga students feel comfortably supported without straining, yet still receive enough of a stretch. Have the students hold the pose for three to five minutes while breathing deeply and comfortably. When they have completed practicing Seated Forward Fold, with the next inhale, have them sit up slowly and remove the bolster or block. Before continuing to the next Yoga pose, ask your students to rest for a moment or two in Easy Seat and relish the quiet center within themselves.
It would be easy to think that there’s no one way to go about recovering from injuries, but the truth is that there’s a great deal of medical literature that helps determine the best path forward for almost all ailments you can experience. That’s not to say recovery is easy, nor that the path is secure.
Four Mistakes Commonly Made When Recovering From Injuries
Sometimes, recovery itself can be as fragile as you feel after undergoing physical trauma of any kind. It takes diligence, a willingness to work with different specialists, and good old-fashioned tenacity (often after being shaken to the core after going through such misfortune) to come back, but in many cases, you can, even if life looks a little different now.
While it’s improper to suggest unless you’re healing in a certain way (especially outside of the direct advice of your doctor) you’re not doing it correctly. However, we believe that there are common enough mistakes individuals make that they’re worth bringing up to anyone trying to recover from physical harm. Let’s consider that, below:
1. Not Prioritizing Rest
Rest seems like the simplest thing to do, but it’s surprising how often it gets ignored or how you might feel tired watching your seventh season of a TV show. Moreover, you could feel restless because you experience for taking time off, or maybe you’re eager to get back to your usual routine. But rest is essential, as it’s the time your body uses to heal and rebuild, and you can’t force this to happen more quickly than it is.
Trying to push through an injury or do “just a little more” can easily backfire if your injury is serious enough, unless directed by a doctor to push, it’s best not to. Rest doesn’t mean doing anything at all though so keep that in mind, it means being mindful of how much you’re asking of your body and allowing it the downtime it needs – so if you do want to keep yourself occupied then thinking of hobbies you can enjoy when resting or laying down and seated can be a good path forward. Now might be the time to crack open those studies or unread books. Teaching yoga to students recovering from surgery requires patience from the teacher and student.
2. Not Working On Flexibility As Directed
When you’re recovering, flexibility exercises might feel like the least exciting part of the process and it’s not really hard to understand why. Most of them are repetitive and slow, even uncomfortable, and don’t always show immediate results. But skipping them is one of the easiest ways to stall your recovery. For instance, you might notice a painful elbow popping and realize that your flexibility schedule might have contributed to strengthening it to help it feel less severe as you visit the doctor to figure out the issue.
Keep in mind that flexibility work is often what prevents long-term stiffness and helps you regain normal movement. Even if it feels tedious or uncomfortable, it’s worth sticking to the plan because it’s temporary and can only help you. Those small, consistent stretches add up over time too, and may help you unlock a fuller range of motion from that point on.
3. Avoiding The Use Of Braces, Supports & Aids
Sure, if you value your freedom, then braces, crutches, and supports can feel like a nuisance. You might think they’re too bulky, and restrictive while making it harder to feel like yourself. But they’re there for a reason and no doctor or medical practitioner lets you use thousands of dollars worth of restorative equipment for now reason.
These aids are designed, often to a staggeringly technical degree, to protect you from further injury while you heal. Skipping them because they’re inconvenient or because you think you “don’t need them anymore” can do more harm than good, like failing to keep your knee in place after the ligaments have been torn. A little discomfort now for a lifetime of a full recovery is worth it, and you can always talk to the doctor if your discomfort is severe.
4. Failing To Keep Up With Medications
It’s true that medications can feel like a hassle, especially if you’re taking multiple types or aren’t a fan of side effects. But sticking to your prescriptions, whether they’re for pain management, reducing inflammation, or preventing infection, can be essential. If the side effects are significant then you might be able to negotiate a switch with your doctor, but often they’ll have prescribed certain options for your benefit.
With this advice, we hope you can avoid prolonging your injury by avoiding recovery mistakes patients most often make.
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More About Teaching Yoga to Students Recovering from Surgery
By Faye Martins, Jenny Park, and Kimaya Singh
Yoga is not only a fantastic way to improve flexibility and strength, but it can also provide numerous benefits for those going through the recovery process. Let’s explore the advantages of incorporating yoga into the healing journey, discuss different types of yoga that are particularly beneficial for post-surgery patients, and provide valuable insights on how to effectively teach yoga in a safe and supportive manner. So whether you’re a yoga instructor looking to expand your knowledge or someone who has recently undergone surgery seeking gentle ways to regain physical wellness, keep reading as we dive into the world of healing through mindful movement.
The Benefits of Yoga for Students Recovering from Surgery
Yoga offers a multitude of benefits for students recovering from surgery. First and foremost, it promotes gentle movement and improves circulation throughout the body, which can aid in reducing swelling and inflammation commonly experienced post-surgery. Additionally, yoga helps to increase flexibility and range of motion, allowing patients to regain strength in affected areas at their own pace.
One significant advantage of practicing yoga during recovery is its ability to alleviate stress and anxiety. Surgery can be a physically and emotionally taxing experience, often leaving individuals feeling overwhelmed or anxious about the healing process. Yoga provides a safe space for relaxation through deep breathing exercises and mindfulness techniques.
Furthermore, yoga fosters an overall sense of well-being by promoting better sleep patterns. Restful sleep is essential for healing as it allows the body to repair itself effectively. Regular practice of yoga can help regulate sleep cycles and reduce insomnia symptoms that may arise due to pain or discomfort after surgery.
Another benefit worth mentioning is improved mental clarity. Many patients report experiencing brain fog or difficulty concentrating following surgery, which can hinder daily activities and even impede the recovery process. Engaging in mindful movements like those found in yoga helps improve focus, memory retention, and cognitive function.
Incorporating yoga into post-surgical rehabilitation encourages self-care practices such as self-compassion and patience with one’s body. It teaches students how to listen attentively to their bodies’ needs while respecting limitations without judgment or comparison – a crucial aspect when embarking on any healing journey.
By embracing the therapeutic nature of yoga during recovery from surgery, individuals empower themselves not only physically but also mentally and emotionally – leading them towards a more balanced path of wellness.
The Different Types of Yoga for Recovering from Surgery
When it comes to practicing yoga for recovery from surgery, there are several different types of yoga that can be beneficial. Each type offers its own unique benefits and focuses on specific aspects of healing and well-being.
One type of yoga that is often recommended for those recovering from surgery is gentle or restorative yoga. This form of yoga emphasizes relaxation, deep breathing, and gentle stretching. It can help reduce stress, promote relaxation, and improve flexibility without putting strain on the body.
Another type of yoga that may be beneficial during recovery is chair yoga. As the name suggests, this practice involves using a chair as a prop to support various poses and movements. Chair yoga is great for individuals who have limited mobility or are unable to perform traditional floor-based poses due to their post-surgery condition.
For those looking for more active forms of yoga during their recovery journey, modified vinyasa flow or hatha yoga classes can be suitable options. These practices focus on linking breath with movement and can help build strength, balance, and flexibility over time.
It’s important to note that not all types of yoga may be appropriate for every individual recovering from surgery. It’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional or experienced instructor who specializes in working with post-surgical patients before starting any new exercise regimen.
By incorporating these different types of yoga into your recovery routine under proper guidance, you can experience not only physical benefits but also mental clarity and emotional well-being throughout your healing process.
How to Teach Yoga to Students Recovering from Surgery
Teaching yoga to students recovering from surgery requires a compassionate and mindful approach. Here are some helpful tips on how to effectively guide these individuals in their yoga practice.
1. Start with a thorough assessment: Before beginning any yoga session, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the student’s medical history and current condition. Consult with their healthcare provider if necessary, as certain poses or movements may need to be modified or avoided altogether.
2. Create a safe environment: Ensure that the yoga space is free from obstacles and hazards. Use props such as blankets, blocks, or straps to provide additional support during postures. Encourage students to listen to their bodies and honor any discomfort or pain they may experience.
3. Focus on gentle movements: Opt for slower-paced classes that emphasize gentle stretches and movements rather than intense flows or inversions. Choose poses that promote relaxation, flexibility, and circulation while avoiding strain on surgical areas.
4. Modify poses when needed: Be prepared to modify traditional yoga poses based on each student’s unique needs and limitations. Offer variations or alternatives that accommodate physical restrictions while still providing benefits.
5. Encourage mindfulness and breath awareness: Emphasize the importance of connecting with one’s breath throughout the practice. Encourage deep diaphragmatic breathing which can help reduce stress levels, increase oxygen flow, and aid in healing.
6. Provide ample rest periods: Allow sufficient breaks during the class where students can relax in savasana (corpse pose) or adopt a comfortable seated position for meditation purposes.
Remember that each individual’s recovery journey is different; therefore patience, empathy,and open communication are key when teaching yoga to students recovering from surgery.
What to Avoid When Teaching Yoga to Students Recovering from Surgery
When it comes to teaching yoga to students recovering from surgery, there are certain things that you need to be mindful of in order to ensure their safety and well-being. Here are some key points on what to avoid when instructing yoga for these individuals:
1. Avoid intense or advanced poses: It’s important not to push your students too hard, especially those who are still healing from surgery. Avoid poses that require excessive strength, flexibility, or balance as they may put unnecessary strain on their bodies.
2. Steer clear of weight-bearing postures: Depending on the type of surgery undergone by your student, weight-bearing poses such as standing postures or inversions may not be suitable. These positions can place added pressure on surgical sites and slow down the recovery process.
3. Don’t neglect modifications: Each student will have different limitations based on their specific surgery and recovery progress. Make sure you offer appropriate modifications for any pose that might cause discomfort or compromise their healing process.
4. Avoid fast-paced flows: Slow down the pace of your class and focus more on gentle movements and stretches rather than rapid transitions between poses. This allows students recovering from surgery to maintain control over their bodies without feeling overwhelmed or risking injury.
5. Be cautious with hands-on adjustments: While hands-on adjustments can be helpful in guiding proper alignment, they should be used sparingly with students recovering from surgery due to potential sensitivity around surgical areas.
Remember, always prioritize safety and listen attentively to your student’s feedback throughout the session. By being mindful of these precautions, you can create a safe environment conducive for healing during yoga practice after surgery
Summary
Teaching yoga to students recovering from surgery can be deeply rewarding. This is a transformative experience for both the teacher and the student. By incorporating the principles of mindfulness, gentle movements, breath awareness, and relaxation techniques, yoga offers a holistic approach to support physical recovery and emotional well-being.
Through regular practice, students can benefit from improved flexibility, strength, balance, and overall body awareness. Yoga also promotes circulation and helps reduce inflammation in muscles and joints. The combination of physical postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation techniques, and relaxation practices creates a nurturing environment that supports healing on all levels.
By approaching teaching with compassion and empathy while honoring each student’s unique needs throughout their recovery process you can create an inclusive space where healing can unfold through the transformative power of yoga.
Remember that teaching yoga is not just about guiding physical movements but also about fostering a sense of connection, empowerment, and self-care.
Conclusion
It is important to remember that each student’s recovery journey is unique. As a yoga teacher working with students who are recovering from surgery:
1. Always prioritize safety: Ensure that your students have received medical clearance before starting any yoga practice. Modify poses as needed based on their individual needs or limitations.
2. Be mindful of pain: Encourage students to listen to their bodies and never push themselves beyond their limits or into pain during the practice.
3. Create a supportive environment: Foster an atmosphere where students feel comfortable asking questions or expressing any concerns they may have about their practice or recovery process.
4. Provide modifications: Offer variations or alternatives for poses that may be challenging for those with limited range of motion or mobility restrictions due to surgery.
5. Emphasize breath work: Teach deep belly breathing techniques to help calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, improve lung capacity, and promote relaxation during the practice.
6. Integrate mindfulness practices: Incorporate moments of stillness, guided visualizations, or gratitude exercises into your classes as tools for stress reduction and cultivating positive emotions.
© Copyright – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division
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