YTT: Accessible Yoga During Injury Recovery
YTT: Accessible Yoga During Injury Recovery
Even the most minor injury can create a significant disruption to health and spirit. The injury recovery process is complex, time-consuming, and often results in a new way of existing.
With physical and mental changes wrapped up in healing, yoga can be a great tool to address all aspects of the mind-body union during recovery.
Understanding the stages of injury
Acute injuries are fresh and new. During this time, attention by a health care professional is advised for pain management and treating inflammation. A recovery plan including the range of motion, weight-bearing guidelines, and long-term healing may begin forming. The acute stage is often the most painful stage of an injury, and yoga asana may not be advised. However, meditation and pranayama can alleviate stress by lowering cortisol levels, which also paves the way for healing. Restorative postures with the injury supported above the heart can be helpful in some cases.
Sub-acute injuries are in the early and delicate stages of healing one to three weeks after the original injury. Light stretching, increasing mobility, and weight-bearing movements may be allowed depending on the individual and the injury. This stage requires a gentle touch and guidance that avoids any possible stress to the area.
Chronic injuries are one to 12 months after the initial injury. Some injuries become chronic and last a lifetime. Often, asana can build strength in the surrounding areas to reduce the risk of re-injury. Strength and flexibility can be increased in the area gradually.
Related article: “Yoga in Healthcare – Asana and Meditation for Chronic Pain”
Benefits of accessible yoga for injury recovery
Injuries can take a daily routine and upend it, sometimes for months, years, or a lifetime. Teaching yoga for everybody and every body type becomes the bridge for a new daily routine through the healing process.
Pranayama and meditation are potent facilitators of reducing stress and anxiety. While injuries are physically painful, yoga teachers should not overlook the mental pain associated with a changing body and a new normal for that body.
Increased compassion and self-love accompany a post-injury yoga practice, working towards acceptance of the injury. As a yoga teacher, you know that supporting the healing of the mind and forging a new journey runs parallel to the physical changes in the body.
Yoga provides balance, both literally and figuratively, to the body. The physical body may need to find a new center of balance, and by extension, adapt its proprioception - the awareness of that body as it moves.
Guidelines for teaching accessible yoga for injury recovery
Injuries range from mildly inconvenient to life-changing. When teaching yoga for injury recovery, work within the guidelines of your student's health care team. Along those same lines, prompt your clients to listen to their bodies and define their safe limits.
Pursuing your RYT500 by enrolling in advanced yoga teacher training is important. For example, training in advanced anatomy and biomechanics at an accredited, Registered Yoga School (RYS300) will make your teaching accurate and safe.
Advanced yoga teacher training allows you to better modify postures as needed and guide healthy strengthening and balance of the injury's supporting muscles and soft tissues.
The anatomy of asana also helps you guide postures and poses in steps, offering props and alternative positioning to allow students to find the best place for their bodies.
Focus on the mindful aspects of yoga as you teach. Address feelings of frustration and anxiety with pranayama techniques that students can take with them. Slowing the pace of a class also supports slower breathing, inward reflection, and increased safety during asana.
Smaller group sizes and individual yoga sessions allow you to focus on the individual, providing accessibility and accuracy. You may also find that teaching for a specific injury is your calling.
Pursue Advanced Yoga Teacher Training to Learn How to Make Your Teachings More Accessible for Injury Recovery
The journey of the yoga teacher is not unlike that of the student, constantly uncovering rocks for new gems of knowledge and growth. Opportunities to learn more abound, from shorter intensive continuing education classes to advanced certifications in Yoga Teaching and Ayurveda. In between, you may choose to use advanced trainings as a stepping-stone in order to pursue your RYT300 or RYT500. Whatever your path or passion is, investing in knowledge allows you to serve your community better.
Yoga is a beautiful practice for all shapes and experiences, and mindful guidance tailored to the individual will best serve your community.
Continue to research similar topics on our Blog often or subscribe to our Mailing List for similar content. Additionally, consider enrolling in Advanced Yoga Teacher Training.
While you’re here, we’d love to invite you to enroll in ”Prema Yoga Therapeutics Essentials” - Explore how a yoga and meditation practice can significantly support health and wellness.
Learn the science and physiology behind the "down-regulating" aspects of restorative yoga, Hatha, meditation, slow flow, and pranayama. "Scan" the body to improve symmetry and manage pain, to alter postures when in recovery, and to practice mindfully as you age. Modify your practice and teaching mindfully in chair yoga, rope wall work, and propping. Learn ancient, evidence-informed techniques to reduce anxiety and depression, as well as how adjust teaching and practice when an injury of disease is present. Perfect for yoga teachers, therapists, and yoga enthusiasts alike.
In this course:
· Yoga for All Bodies
· Pranayama, Philosophy, Meditations
· Restorative Yoga Essentials
· Slow Flow Essentials
· Introduction to Ayurveda and One-on-One Yoga
· Care for the Caregiver Focus: Restorative Yoga
Learn more about this course at: PremaYogaInstitute.com
Prema Yoga Institute is longer limited to New York City and is now available online with interactive trainings through 2022. PYI is an accredited program based in New York city, teaching students around the globe through online classes. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you advance your yoga practice and teaching!
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