Variations for Performing Yoga with Scoliosis: Crucial Factors to Consider
People with scoliosis – a condition characterized by the abnormal curvature of the spine – can still reap the benefits of yoga. While the practice may require modified poses or a more limited range of motion, it offers numerous advantages for managing scoliosis symptoms, as certified yoga therapist Judi Bar, E-500 RYT, C-IAYT confirmed.
Can people with scoliosis do yoga?
Absolutely! Yoga incorporates poses, breathing techniques, and an overall mindset that caters to individuals of all shapes and abilities. The unique concerns and issues for those with scoliosis primarily revolve around the specific location and degree of their spinal curvature and how it affects their hips, rib cage, and shoulders.
Is yoga helpful for scoliosis?
Yoga cannot heal or cure scoliosis; however, it offers several benefits for individuals with the condition. Strengthening core and spinal muscles, alleviating pain and tension, improving breath control, and fostering mindfulness and body awareness are all advantages of integrating yoga into one's routine, according to Bar.
To practice yoga safely with scoliosis, it's essential to maintain awareness of asymmetries, consult with a medical professional, work with a trained instructor, avoid uncomfortable poses, and tailor the practice to one's unique needs. Yoga therapist Judi Bar suggests the cat/cow pose, downward-facing dog, mountain pose, tree pose, and supine leg and arm movement as suitable poses for individuals with scoliosis.
Ultimately, people with scoliosis should give themselves permission to practice yoga at their own pace and embrace the calm, mindful feelings of well-being that come from the practice.
People with scoliosis may find that yoga offers significant benefits for their mental health, as the practice encourages mindfulness and body awareness. While it's important to modify poses and consider the specific requirements of individuals with scoliosis, fitness-and-exercise and health-and-wellness benefits are still attainable through yoga. Furthermore, yoga can contribute to a holistic approach to managing scoliosis symptoms by improving breath control, decreasing pain and tension, and strengthening key muscle groups.
