Understanding Scoliosis and Yoga Therapy Interventions
Course Summary
We understand that the structure, alignment, flexibility and strength of the spine is fundamental to good health, vitality and a balanced mind. Spine related conditions have to be addressed with a very systematic and rigorous approach that will help one to live a life that is balanced, functional and with least discomfort.
As yoga teachers and therapists, understanding how to adapt practices to suit individuals with spinal alignment is important so that we cause no harm, don’t aggravate existing issues and also help them overcome/minimize/prevent future problems. Scoliosis is a spinal deviation that affects individuals at many levels causing pain, disability, functional limitations and of course, its impact on the mind and one’s sense of self, especially when the deviation is severe, is very significant.
This workshop brings together the traditional, classical yoga therapy approach and the structural orthopedic/physiotherapy approach to treating scoliosis.
A brief overview of the workshop:
Day 1 (September 11, 2021)
Session 1 : Yoga therapy Perspective with Saraswathi
According to Yoga & Sankhya, every aspect of Prakrti (nature) has both the gross structure at one end and many layers of subtlety that are not apparently perceivable. The subtle being more powerful than the gross, has the power to influence the gross aspects in ways that the gross cannot influence the subtle. We will be exploring the spine, its functions starting from the gross structural support to the body to subtler and the functional aspects from the yogic perspective. The Yoga therapy approach to scoliosis will also be introduced in this session.
Session 2: Anatomical perspective with Dr. Robert
Scoliosis can stem from structural abnormalities to the bones of the lower limb or spine, but as the condition progresses can also cause structural changes in these regions. Dr. Rob will discuss the causes behind these, how they can be observed and managed. He will also cover idiopathic scoliosis, where there is no attributable cause of this condition, with its origins still debated within the medical community. Description of the non - structural changes to soft tissues, such as ligaments and muscles, which can potentially be changed through the application of therapeutic movement will be presented. Dr. Rob will also outline what is currently understood about the use of movement to positively influence these tissues to create positive change.
Day 2 (September 18, 2021)
Session 1: Therapeutic approach to Scoliosis from a western viewpoint with Dr. Robert
How is modern medicine and movement therapy applied in the treatment of scoliosis? What can we learn from them that we can apply within our yoga therapy approach? Dr. Rob will outline what is currently understood about the use of movement to positively influence tissues to create positive change.
Session 2: Yoga therapy application for Scoliosis with Saraswathi
What is the basis for the application that is holistic and individualised? How to modify asana for scoliosis? How to use the breath and work with the mind and what is the possible impact on the whole individual? How to adapt and apply asana for individuals, from the perspective of Yoga therapy.
Whom is it for?
This workshop is open to Yoga teachers and therapists working with people in small groups/individual settings. Learning and experience in the tradition of Sri T Krishnamacharya is desirable but not mandatory for attending this workshop.
Course Fee
3750 INR
Course Availability
6 months from the date of enrollment
Facilitators
Saraswathi Vasudevan
Saraswathi Vasudevan is a yoga teacher, trainer and therapist in the tradition of Sri T Krishnamacharya. She has close to three decades of study, practice and teaching experience in this tradition, having studied directly with Sri TKV Desikachar for over 17 years and other senior teachers in this tradition. She is the co-founder of YogaVahini, a Specialised Yoga Training, Therapy and Research Centre that has centres in Chennai & Hyderabad and presence in other cities in India and around the world. In 2016 she co-founded Yoga Vahini Foundation, a Public Charitable Trust that aims to bring yoga and yoga therapy to rural and underserved populations through yoga camps, training and awareness programs. Saraswathi currently serves on the Voluntary Board of Directors of Yoga Alliance, the largest international yoga certifying and credentialing body.
Dr. Robert Lamport
Dr. Robert Lamport specialises in the Gonstead method of Chiropractic, a precise approach to correcting problems of the spine and joints. He was awarded a Master's degree in Chiropractic from the Anglo European College of Chiropractic in the United Kingdom. He is the founder of More Than Anatomy, an online education platform for yoga teachers, which aims to help them better understand the human body in both health and disease. Having first developed a strong interest in health in 1992, he has been practising yoga for the past 25 years and for the last 10 under the guidance of Sri O P Tiwariji.