yoga in a box
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8/12/2019 Yoga in a box
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5018 NE 15 TH AVE P ORTLAND , OR 97211 (800) 837-8428 INFO @VESTIBULAR .ORG WWW .VESTIBULAR .ORG
T HE MISSION OF THE V ESTIBULAR D ISORDERS ASSOCIATION IS TO SERVE PEOPLE WITH VESTIBULAR DISORDERS BY PROVIDING ACCESS TOINFORMATION , OFFERING A SUPPORT NETWORK , AND ELEVATING AWARENESS OF THE CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH THESE DISORDERS .
VEDA IS A 501 ( C ) 3 NON - PROFIT T AX ID 93-0914340.
Yoga for People with Balance Disorders
What is balance
Our sense of balance is a complex interaction between the inner ear, vision, andsomatosensory system (physical cues that tell the brain where the body is inspace). Those suffering from vestibular disorders can experience dizziness, vertigo,disorientation, and poor coordination. Fatigue is common, as are posturalmisalignments due to holding themselves stiffly or over-compensation.
Yo g a ca n h e l p v e s t i b u l a r p a t i e n t s r e g a i n b a l a n c e , f o c u s , m o v e m e n t a n d
c o o r d i n a t i o n .
The magic of yoga
The magic of yoga does not depend on a set of poses. Rather, the healing comesfrom how the poses are taught and how carefully the teacher watches the responseof the student to the poses. Each individual with a vestibular disorder will presentdifferent needs, and even the individuals themselves will have different needs ondifferent days.
Different types of yoga
Iyengar yoga is well suited for people with balance disorders. Types to avoid includeBikram, Ashtanga, or vinyasa, as these all depend on a flowing sequence thatwould be problematic for people with balance issues.
Tips for working with vestibular patients
Practice against a wall: Teachers should encourage patients with balanceissues to work near a wall to avoid falls, or to have a chair as a balance aid(you can hold the top bar of the chair like you would hold a ballet bar).
Focal points: Using physical focal points can help reduce disorientation. Forexample, if you are experiencing a spinning sensation, mentally focus onthose body parts that are in contact with the earth (e.g. if you are standing,that would be your feet).
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.vestibular.org/http://www.vestibular.org/http://www.vestibular.org/http://www.vestibular.org/http://www.vestibular.org/http://www.vestibular.org/http://www.vestibular.org/http://www.vestibular.org/mailto:[email protected] -
8/12/2019 Yoga in a box
2/2
5018 NE 15 TH AVE P ORTLAND , OR 97211 (800) 837-8428 INFO @VESTIBULAR .ORG WWW .VESTIBULAR .ORG
T HE MISSION OF THE V ESTIBULAR D ISORDERS ASSOCIATION IS TO SERVE PEOPLE WITH VESTIBULAR DISORDERS BY PROVIDING ACCESS TOINFORMATION , OFFERING A SUPPORT NETWORK , AND ELEVATING AWARENESS OF THE CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH THESE DISORDERS .
VEDA IS A 501 ( C ) 3 NON - PROFIT T AX ID 93-0914340.
Breath: Focus on breathing slowly. Consciously relax the muscles in yourneck, jaw, chest and diaphragm. This will also help reduce anxiety.
Feet: Balance can be enhanced by working with the feet, e.g. using toeseparators, going barefoot as often as possible to keep the muscles of thefeet strong and flexible, and getting foot massages to keep the awarenessalive in the feet.
Head: Depending on the level of dizziness one is experiencing, a person withvestibular disorders may not want to move his or her head. Static holds andrestorative poses may be best.
Be Gentle: Encourage the student to have compassion for his or her body.
Healing is always slower than desired, and pushing too much goes againstthe yogic belief that we are already perfect.
S t a r t w h e r e y o u a r e . P ay a t t e n t i o n . Tr y h a r d . A cc e p t t h e l i m i t a t i o n s
o f y o u r e m b o d i m e n t . T h i s i s t h e p r a c t i ce o f y o g a .
Types of Poses
Grounding poses:o tadasana (mountain pose)o savasana (corpse pose)o svastikasana (auspicious pose)
Chest openers (to help patients lift their spirits and correct their posture):o harness pose" using strapso setu bandh sarvangasana (bridge pose) taught with support
Balance poses (important, but can be taxing):o vrksasana (tree pose) with support
Poses to let the eyes and nervous system take a break:o supta baddha konasana (the reclined bound angle)
Muscle stretching poses:o gomukhasana (head of the cow)o dandasana (staff pose)o upavista konasana (seated angle pose)o supta padangusthasana (lying down big toe pose)o the "rising sun" pose
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.vestibular.org/http://www.vestibular.org/http://www.vestibular.org/http://www.vestibular.org/http://www.vestibular.org/http://www.vestibular.org/http://www.vestibular.org/http://www.vestibular.org/mailto:[email protected]