Therapeutic Yoga

Therapeutic Yoga

Applications, Modifications & Contraindications

Course Description

Yoga is a vast system of Integrated Exercise with potential for both positive and negative outcomes; some people benefit greatly while others are susceptible to injury. Whether helping someone return to a public yoga class or using yoga as a rehab tool in your facility, you can assist your patient in recognizing what specific types of poses to target, modify or avoid all together depending on their specific complaint. In this course you will learn to identify movement or postural patterns, both in your patients and in many common yoga poses that will guide you in your recommendations. Differentiated poses are generally both safer and more beneficial than Global poses; you will learn to recognize the distinction with any pose or exercise and have solid rationale for your subsequent suggestions. Emerging rehab principles of Regional Interdependence and Specific Motor Control Exercise (SMCE) are presented and reconciled with common yoga themes. In class you will observe, analyze and try out several poses, but you don’t need to be a pretzel to participate; there are always modifications! Topics covered:

Course Objectives

At the completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Define Global & Differentiated movement/postural relationships giving five examples of each in daily life and in common yoga poses.
• List three common hip/pelvic/lumbar biases and recommend appropriate yoga pose modifications that encourages lumbar stabilization and hip mobility/balance.
• Explain why yoga poses featuring global spinal relationships are Contra-Indicated for many common types of low back and neck pain.
• Demonstrate five yoga poses that encourage thoracic mobility and strength while simultaneously protecting/stabilizing both neck and low back.
• List two examples of each of the poses/positions that cue: gleno-humeral/scapular integration and optimization; tripod foot balance; knee over foot alignment; gleno-humeral/forearm rotational differentiation.
• Explain the rationale for adding Reciprocating Movement and Dynamic Integration elements to common yoga poses.
• Demonstrate “easy” modifications for all yoga poses presented in course in order to encourage success for all age groups and physical abilities.

Course Outline

Lab sessions include experiential movement, partner observation, manual/verbal cuing, modifications and discussion of clinical relevance.

7:45-8:00-Registration & Snacks

8:00-8:30-Introduction to Integrated Movement Principles

• Exercise Paradigms: Isolate or Integrate?
• Types of Integrated Movement/Exercise: Static & Dynamic
• Principles of Optimal Movement/Posture

8:30-10:00-Lab I: Pelvic Balancing—Recognizing Hip Biases/Addressing Lumbar Issues

• Differentiated Poses: Hip Mobility & Lumbar Stability
• Recognizing the Habitual & Teaching the Non-Habitual
• Movement Reciprocity to Facilitate L/R Pelvic Balance

10:00-10:15-Morning Break

10:15-12:00-Lab II: Thoracic Work—Knocking the Rust Off the Ribs

• Applying Constraints: Funneling Movement & Effort Where We Want It
• Integrating Arm & Head Movement with the Mid Back & Chest
• Rib Cage as Slinky: Encouraging Multi-Directional Thoracic Movement

12:00-1:00-Lunch on Your Own

1:00-3:00-Lab III: Lower Extremity Alignment—Creating a Solid Foundation

• Encouraging the Tripod Foot: Forefoot/Rear-Foot Differentiations
• Controlling Knee Valgus & Varus: Organizing Knee Over Foot
• Facilitating Balance: Peroneus Longus/Posterior Tibialis Competence

3:00-3:15-Afternoon Break

3:15-5:00—Lab IV: Shoulder Girdle Stabilization—Anchoring the Arm to the Back

• Dynamic vs. Static Scapular Stabilization
• Grand Coalition of the Arm: Shoulder ER & Scapular Posterior Tilt
• Closed & Open Chain Facilitations

5:00-5:30—Wrap Up

• Review & Reinforcement of Course Objectives
• Research, Questions & Answer

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