Yoga as a potential physical therapy tool.

Typically at the moment an injury happens we are unaware of what our body is doing. Though it sounds illogical to the mind, our body follows patterns we have trained into it. It is likely that unconscious movement & postural patterns set us up for events that cause injury. An example of this is a habit of letting a foot drag or leaning into one hip. When faced with a new obstacle while doing something as simple as walking this habit may cause a sprain or fall.

Another way our incorrect movement & postural patterns show up is called "repetitive stress injuries." Two common examples are shoulder/rotator cuff pain due to working with arms forward, and hip/low back pain from long hours of sitting. The movements we commonly use start out just fine but if we do not stay mindful of posture and take breaks during the work day we will slump into incorrect posture. We must then consciously balance our muscular system with contrasting exercises. When multiple days go by without corrective movements we will start feeling discomfort as over used muscles pull joints away from their center.

Enter yoga. This is an ancient practice, developed & taught by seekers of health & longevity.

Because we all live in a body we can learn the rules of physicality. Yoga postures teach us to synchronize our body and breath together. This exercises neural pathways that strengthen our natural musculoskeletal structures, giving us an opportunity to build in balanced patterns.

When we realign our body with concentration and repetition we initiate a natural process of return to comfort.

Though it takes practice we can train the musculoskeletal structure to return and rest at home base. Over time the muscular structure will release old injury patterns in favor of the healthy, functional options. 

Here's the catch.

If we want to empower our body/mind to learn, grow and heal we must do this consistently over time. A teacher is needed to instruct the mind/body/breath positioning and for best results we need to reproduce the patterns on our own.

This means something different for every one every day. 

Attending classes with consistency is important. Practicing between classes is optional and as simple as sitting & breathing for 10 minutes with correct positioning. If a student practices or even thinks through the new pattern for a few minutes between classes the information will become more natural. Once a new movement is practiced enough times it becomes a skill that helps us grow our posture library over time. 

The reason the Ashtanga Yoga series is such a useful sequence is its consistency.

The Ashtanga Primary Series is called Yoga Chikitsa (Yoga Therapy) in Sanskrit. The sequences are designed to move the body through a gentle warm-up and gradual opening of all the joints, ending with postures to regroup & integrate. In my 32 years of practice this sequence has proven to be a therapy for every physical problem. This brilliantly crafted flow allows for modifications and progressions while the practitioner is traveling through their own physical journey.

In my Entry-Level Class I invite students to learn home base and carry it along through the sequence. 

If it's something you'd like to explore please come to a class or reach out for options. My current studio schedule in Missoula includes one Entry-Level Vinyasa class and one ongoing practice per week. Private sessions are available.

Please go to https://offthematselfcare.com/ for more about me and my contact information. Go to https://www.sacredally.love/yoga-class-schedule to register for class.

Blessings, joy and health,

Christian