Backcare and Scoliosis

 

Positive Effects of Yoga on Hyper-Kyphosis and Hyper-Lordosis

In January 2015 I enrolled in Alison West’s Teacher Training for a 100HR Basic Back Care Certification. At the time I was a newly minted teacher, armed with a vinyasa training and about 25 years of practice. It was there at Yoga Union I learned what Hyper-Kyphosis was and that I had a classic pattern in my spine. 

 

Hyper-kyphosis and hyper-lordosis often go hand in hand, and, when one is unaware of this exaggerated saggital curving in the spine it can wreak havoc on many aspects of one’s bodily functions as well as one’s psyche. One such function I struggled with for many years that I never connected to this pattern was my digestion. 

 

For as long as I could remember I had a terrible habit of gripping in my groin area, gripping my front ribs, pushing my kidneys forward, and hanging on my hip, particularly in my yoga poses. I have hyper-mobility in my joints (some more than others) and I didn’t even realize how this instability made me feel anxious. The anxiety interrupted my normal digestion and my sleep. All that gripping created quite a bit of congestion in my body and of course in my mind. Until that time, particularly in my yoga practice I hadn’t learned the difference between spinal flexion and pelvic flexion and so, the result was tight hamstrings and quite a lot of pushing into my upper back, whether in standing, seated or in weight-bearing poses. In order to alleviate this pattern I have worked to elongate the side body through Rope Utkatasana on three handles, High Trikonasana at the wall with my hand a tad in front of my shoulder, using a chair to stay high in Dog pose, and using the Dowel. The Dowel has become one of my most beloved tools in my yoga practice because of its varied uses. It can be placed at the top of my thighs in a seated supported Virasana, for instance, when I forward fold and I slide my hands out on the dowel, drawing the crease of the thighs back allowing there to be both length in the side waist and width in my upper back. I can take a similar pose on my back and place my feet at the wall, knees bent, dowel at the high leg crease and hands wide on the dowel. This is especially soothing to my nervous system and releases tension in my wrists, elbows, shoulders and back. The dowel is also incredibly informative as a guide to lining up the trunk of the body evenly in poses such as Tadasna, Trikonasa and Utthita Parsvakonasana. The uses with ropes, chairs and The Dowel are countless as are the the positive effects of yoga on hyper-kyphosis and hyper-lordosis. 

 

During this process of learning to distribute the work evenly — lengthening the side body, softening the front ribs, drawing in the upper back, filling the kidney band, quieting the arch in my lower back and organinzing my legs and my pelvis  — I discovered something else was happening, something I had struggled with my whole life. My digestion was improving as well as my posture. I was making space for my organs to function properly and so I realized my body was no longer fighting!  I had an overall sense of calm in my mind. My inner landscape had shifted from physical, energetic, and mental to a more discerning one. Surely the yoga was why. 

 

Seven years later, I am a more confident teacher, a more sensible practitioner, and more important, a more peaceful human being. My outlook on Life comes from my approach to my own body and my back. I take care of me first with my daily yoga practice and from there everything else seems to have more space too. 

Mimi Brainard 

Lyme, CT 

3/22/ 2022

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Dear Alison:

Not only was I able to feel that I had a good session; but, as you predicted, that enabled me to feel better both mentally and physically.

Namaste,

MW 9/18/21

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Hi Alison, 

Good morning. I've been thinking about you. Hope you had a good summer!

The short time I spent with you has been a great help to me. What you told me about bending down alone comes in handy a million times a day.

JH 9/18/21

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Alison, 

You are truly a force of nature--your natural intelligence and command of your subject, it’s impressive.

I enjoyed the workshop [Herniation and Osteoporosis] very much.

I am back to teaching yoga full time for two years now. I look forward to more continuing Ed with you. 

JM. 2/7/21

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Hi,

I have scoliosis and love what you do.

Thank you,

VS 1/21/21

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Dear Alison, to you and all the teachers and assistants of Yoga Union,

I am deeply grateful for your patience, kindness and , knowledge – and all of the teachers and assistants of YU.   From your teaching,  bit by bit,  I built a kinesthetic understanding of my spine and my asymmetries.  Through that understanding and support, I was able to build a self-practice,  and can find ways to adjust my sitting, standing and moving through the world, towards greater ease.  I do hope to be able to align my schedule to do classwork again but wanted you to know,  in the meantime,  I include you all in my meditations and wish you strength.    Hoping you have the peace I feel so often in the beautiful images you share from Maine.  With love and gratitude.  Joyce croak

Joyce Croak  11/28/20

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Hi,

I used to come to your yoga for scoliosis classes in New York. I didn't come as often as I should have, but I found it one of the best things for my back that I've ever done. 

Thanks,
Jon. JF 5/5/2021

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General Classes

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Thank you, Alison. You are SO inspirational and impressive!!

MB  3/2/21

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Wonderful class for me today, Alison …  

Just wanted to say thank you and how grateful I am for your teaching. 

Jamie Steinke 5/11/21

 

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Hi Alison,

I am so grateful for the opportunity to take your classes. I wanted to let you know I am hoping to be able to return to your class on Oct. 5th.

Much appreciated,

VP  9/13 21

 

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Hi Alison, I have a small world story…took a pilates-like class at my gym in Bklyn and got talking to the teacher after (something familiar about some of the positions he put us in)…sure enough, turns out he’s a Yoga Union person!  Mike McCardle (his girlfriend was a vinyasa teacher with you.  Anyway love his class and all your wisdom he brings to it.  Cheers! 

RMC. 9/13/21

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Dowels

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Dear Alison,

 

Thank you for a beautiful, clear, inspiring dowel workshop today.  I deeply appreciate your thoughtfulness, rigor, honesty, depth, and delight in preparing your lessons AND the attention to detail you bring in guiding your students through the process and watching us each so closely.

Today I brought two of my dear students, Lula and Antoinette, with me and I am so grateful they had this chance to learn from you.

 

My star poses from today's lesson were:

 

1, Virabhadrsana A before we descended to rotate the Parsva Konasana with the dowel under the pelvic floor - what wonderful leverage!!  My psoas thanks you!

2.Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana - what a great source of leverage and rotation!  (I am a sucker for lateral flexion - like a weeping willow tree)

3. Marichyasana C - what joy and lightness to bind my body toe to tip in this way and feel great synergy from limbs to trunk.  

Thank you for all you do!  I look forward to learning more from you next time!

 

Namaste.

Lily Dwyer Begg 4/9/22

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Dear Alison, 

I found the Amazing Dowel workshop just that, amazing. Your endless creativity with something as simple in its form was yet again another example of your dedication to the practice, application of props, and your position as a Master Teacher. Best of all you never limited us to your vision but constantly invited us to explore new possibilities because the dowel, as you pointed out, is an extension of our own spine, our owns limbs and therefore our own consciousness. Thank you for inspiring me to use new props in my own practice and especially, in my teaching. I found enormous spaciousness and relief from pain related to my hyper-kyphosis and mild scoliosis. Work with the dowels will definitely find its way into my classes pronto!

Sincerely,

Mimi Brainard 4/21/20

 

 

I first came across your article in Yoga Journal a few years ago and I am an ardent supporter. I have acute intermittent porphyria and on a bad day I shake and can not balance. The staff gives me stability to flow through and hold poses that would be inaccessible. 

 

Thank you for showing me the staff and sparking my curiosity. I hope to see classes offered here in Colorado.

 

DH  12/23/ 20

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Ropes

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Hi Alison,

I woke up this morning feeling great and inspired!  Thank you for a wonderful two days. I learned a lot and look forward to more. CM and I will review the training and practice together to keep it ‘wiring in’. If questions arise, we will jot down and email after. 

 

I had demo’ed/taught two classes before our training yesterday and assumed I’d be really sore today... but surprisingly my body feels really good. Thanks again for your exceptional instruction which kept it safe.

 

Wishing you a glorious weekend and Springtime~

 

Best,

SE 4/17/21

 

 

Special Meditation Series January-February 2021

 

Hi Alison, 

Yes, these morning gatherings are very nurturing for me too. You are holding the space so beautifully with intelligence, care and such clarity. Thank you, truly.

with love and gratitude,

JB 1/19/21

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Thank you so much Alison!

What a fantastic opportunity to study with you! I have been a follower on Instagram for a while and at one point before Covid was planning on coming to a scoliosis workshop. I will keep my eyes and ears open for that.

I really appreciate your joy and enthusiasm for this practice, and your expertise. Thank you for showing so many variations using both the wall and the door. I really learned a lot . 

MY 3/22/2022