My body can’t do that!!
Some physicians are now prescribing or suggesting yoga for all sorts of medical conditions. That’s awesome! But now what? They don’t recommend a studio or instructor like a specialist. If you have a heart condition, they send you to a cardiologist, right? But, this is not the same in yoga. I would bet most don’t really know what yoga is. So, how is the consumer supposed to know what yoga is? You then go to a yoga studio and you freeze. What is the world are these people doing? There is a different language being spoken. No one is explaining anything and you have a special need. Most yoga studios will say “do what you can”. But what if that is only part of the class and you just stand there?
What is yoga?
Yoga has been around for thousands of years. It is just a way of balancing life by uniting body, mind and spirit through the use of postures, movement, breath and breath meditation. Yoga exercises and breathing techniques performed correctly and consistently will relax the body as well as the mind and create vitality, flexibility, well being, a positive nature and provide firm muscles, healthy skin, good posture and coordination. Its roots are from India and you may hear an instructor talking in Sanskrit. It is not a religion. Yoga can be adapted to any body. Bottom line, yoga will help you move and breathe better that will help you in all activities that you do everyday.
If you hear, do what you can- run. This instructor is not prepared to show modifications or provide adaptations. Yoga instructors training is usually based on the number of hours they have studied. Most yoga instructors are not trained in a 200 hours of training on adapting to special needs. Interview studios and instructors. Ask for their credentials. Get recommendations from friends and colleagues with similar conditions. Shop like you would for any service. You do not have to settle for “do what you can”.
There are yoga studios on every corner. Call or look on a website for the teachers credentials. See if any have a medical background. There are lots of therapists and nurses teaching yoga. Or, the teacher may have a special need themselves. They are the best at how to make modifications. I bet there is a teacher with a joint replacement. These teachers will help guide you in a practice that is safe for you.
This blog post was originally posted March 10, 2018 by Cheryl Albright on Soul To Soul Yoga’s website
