17 Jun Chronic back pain and yoga
John’s body wasn’t ready for the very specifically-designed postures of Bikram Yoga and we needed to find a way for him to recognise and be comfortable with his own limitations.
After introducing John to full-body awareness and the possibility of moving with gentleness and effortlessness, we found that John could do variations of the postures that had been troubling him so as to work within appropriate physical limits. He reported that he would be able to “listen to his back” during his Bikram Yoga class.
In a followup, John said he had practiced Bikram Yoga without feeling the normal twinge in his back. “I feel better than ever”, he said.
When we introduce yoga to those suffering from chronic back pain in a particular way, we invite them to work within their limits, without stressing their body. By listening to their body, chronic pain sufferers can gently but confidently increase their activity and range of movement. The positive impact for their emotional wellbeing, when they realise they can use their body healthily and vibrantly, radiates out to other aspects of their lives.
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