Yoga For Backcare & Scoliosis
Meet Christy Kokami, Who Specializes In Yoga for Backcare & Scoliosis
Did you know about Yoga for Backcare & Scoliosis? If you did, then great! If you' didn’t, I’m so glad you’re here because I think more people should know about it and what Christy has to offer!
Yoga Is Good For Back Pain…Right?
Well it is true and studies have generally found that it helps. However, in East Asian Medicine we know that one size does not fit all and that is what is great about Christy’s offerings. No one back injury is the same. Every body is different and every injury even if it is a herniated disc in the same vertebrae will still present differently in different people, situations and lifestyles! I know we are all told that” yoga is good for your back” or if you have had a back ache, someone has probably suggested yoga…BUT we have to put it all into context. Remember that there are many different kinds of yoga, (Problematic and something to dive deeper at another time! ) and varied yoga teacher backgrounds and skills. The average yoga teacher may not know what is good for your back especially if you have herniated discs, spondylolisthesis and/or scoliosis. The reality is that many people with spinal and back injuries will seek out yoga. Christy says “Well, it [yoga] is good for your back pain, BUT you have to be super mindful.” People are always quick to think of yoga for the benefits that come from practicing its physical postures and let the meditative benefits feel secondary. Christy points out that there is much to learn here, especially if you have back pain or scoliosis. “Poses are held for much longer than five breaths” in her class. This allows students to examine their injuries on a much deeper level and ask themselves, ”Why are you in pain? What got you to this place? What could you be doing in your everyday life that might be causing you to stay injured or re-injure yourself?” This type of yoga is very practical. Christy teaches her students to use movements from her class to inform them on how to get up from a chair, sit comfortably at work, turn or bend to pick something up. She finds this to be an important part of her teachings because students will inherently bring this home and continue the work she has started with them.
Christy explains to me, “Yoga for Backcare & Scoliosis is a method for people to learn how to work with their body for efficient and sound posture in a space that enables the body to heal. In these yoga sessions, the practice is slow and mindful to focus the senses inward (thus calming the nervous system to a state where it can repair the body). New postural patterns are created while building strength and flexibility to promote a healthy spine and its longevity. The yoga poses and modifications are used to teach you how to not only support your spine in positions that you use daily when you sit, stand, kneel, etc; it also re-patterns your muscles to move your body in efficient ways that keep you from injuring (or re-injuring) your body. I love that this yoga is not only for people with injuries or in recovery, it is for everyone. We all have asymmetries in our body and can benefit from mindfully moving through our day!”
5 Reasons You Should Practice Yoga with Christy
Not all yoga poses are good for back injuries, disc herniations and scoliosis, but Christy will know which ones are and which ones are not.
It teaches you how to avoid injuring yourself or re-injuring yourself with your movements and daily postural patterns.
It tones down your nervous system and allows your muscles to relax
It will inform you on how to move your body not just during yoga asana but also in everyday life.
It increases strength and flexibility. You will leave the class feeling a little lighter, a little taller.
Who Should Work With Christy?
Students can practice with Christy to work with their unique body and postural patterns through private sessions. This is especially beneficial for those with general back pain, spinal injuries (herniations, spondylolisthesis, spondylitis, etc.) and spinal conditions (scoliosis, hyperkyphosis, hyperlordosis, etc.). She also offers virtual group classes on Zoom. Contact info for classes can be found below. Find her on Youtube and Patreon.
By Emily Grace Siy, L.Ac.
September 26, 2020
