Back pain is the most common health complaint in North America and one of the top reasons for missed work days. In this module we learn about the anatomy of the spine, including the function of vertebrae and the major muscle groups that support the spine, such as the pelvic floor muscles. We will look at common back issues including sacroiliac joint pain, sciatica, scoliosis, osteoporosis, and muscle strain. The module centers on what poses help, which ones hurt, and how to sequence yoga therapy classes for people with back issues.
Tuition: $380
How can yoga therapy be applied for individuals who have suffered trauma? Traumatic events may lead to isolation and feelings of helplessness. Traumatized individuals may develop addictions, mental illness, and a variety of dysfunctional coping strategies. Trauma sensitive yoga teaching skills to effectively and compassionately work with this population include specific asana sequences, pranayama, and grounding techniques.
How can we support our yoga therapy clients with hip and knee issues? How does alignment from the feet influence the health of these joints? Learn the muscles, tendons and ligaments that support the hips and knees and explore strategies that we as yoga therapists can use to educate our clients on the hips and knees. Learn about specific hip and knee issues such as bursitis, groin pull, hip replacement, sciatica, piriformis syndrome, Iliotibial syndrome, complete ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL Injuries/Tear/Repair, patellofemoral syndrome (Runner’s Knees), meniscal tear/repair, osteoarthritis and knee replacement.
What pranayama techniques can be applied for our yoga therapy clients? In this experiential module, you will explore pranayama, nadis and the bhandas. We will also analyse yoga therapy research and examine which pranayama is best suited for individual client needs and why.
An estimated 20-25% of North Americans and 1.5 billion people worldwide live with chronic pain and a growing number of health professionals are recommending yoga to their patients particularly since we now have research to support yoga is a potentially safe and effective approach for improving function, pain and quality of life for people with chronic pain.
Yoga therapists are well positioned to contribute to a comprehensive pain care plan. However, misunderstandings about pain by the therapist can result in suboptimal outcomes for the person in pain, where the therapist might use language that unintentionally limits the potential for recovery and resilience or might avoid yoga practices that ultimately would improve tissue health, reduce inflammation, support self-efficacy, help restore more ease of movement, and help regain activities that the person enjoys and values in life.