Psoas

The psoas is a very important muscle that connects your torso to your lower body. It acts as a hip flexor, and plays a strong role in supporting the stability of the low back.

We'll explore these deep muscles in Tuesday 9am Back Health class, and use the breath to soften the grip of the psoas on the spine.

What is scoliosis?

What is scoliosis?

Some of us know very well what scoliosis is, but I do get asked about it.

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine with vertebral (the small bones that form the spine) rotation, which is visible from the ribs moving. Most cases of scoliosis are idiopathic, which means that there is no definite cause.

The human body is intelligent and learns how to compensate for scoliosis by moving into the path of least resistance. That path will be into the scoliotic curve pattern and rotation, which will bring the body further out of balanced alignment.

Yoga isn't going to cure scoliosis or straighten the spine. However, keeping the back strong and moving while keeping your curve patterns in consideration may help the curves to not progress or possibly improve. Yoga teaches us many approaches that are helpful in managing discomfort or pain.

End of summer

This is the last full week of summer break for our teachers who are returning to the classroom. Let's show our gratitude to all the wonderful teachers in our lives.

My grandparents were high school teachers, and they loved their profession. They always wanted me to go into early childhood education, but that didn't interest me. However, we never know where life may lead us. I now teach yoga, mainly to adults, and homeschool our son who admitted this summer that he likes me being his math teacher. Never say never.

Move in the direction of…

I heard Judith Lasater speak about "moving in the direction of." Our goal in yoga is not to create a certain shape or perfect alignment, but just move in the right direction. Our practice may challenge us at times to not do more, but know when to do less by tuning into our body.

Water

Today I learned that you can lose a pound of water overnight through perspiration and respiration! That's a lot of water, so if you're out much in this summer heat, you especially need to hydrate all during the day.

When our body begins to dehydrate, fluids are pulled from your tissue, which may explain more aches and pains. If you're not in the habit, start your day with a glass of room temperature or warm water (add lemon juice if you like) before eating or drinking caffeine.

Sharing my passion

I'm really excited to share what I'm passionate about: yoga with scoliosis.

Peak summer

The recent heat has been feeling like we're at the peak of summer. Super hot sand at the beach, drinking copious amounts of fluids, eating super ripe tomatoes, and maybe feeling like you need a nap around 3pm.

Change

Do you change your clothes with the seasons?

Do you change your diet with the seasons?

Do you change your movements and exercises with the seasons?

I think change is necessary and healthy. You won’t find me snowboarding or tubing in the winter, nor water skiing in the summer. However, walking is a favorite exercise. I walk all year, but the surface changes. Summer walks in the sand, fall hikes on the trails, bundled up winter walks to beat cabin fever, and spring just feel like the ideal time for most everything.

New t-shirt

I love my new shirt that I ordered from Strength & Spine. What I love even more is being able to connect with fellow scoliosis warriors who teach various forms of movement through yoga, pilates, strength...

When our son was a little over a year old, I started having more back pain from carrying him around. My exercise regime of walking and yoga was not enough for the demands, so I decided to join a gym in order to incorporate strength training. It's been a lot of trial and error to figure out what and how to modify exercises for my scoliosis and spinal fusion. I wish I had someone like Beth from Strength & Spine to lead me from the beginning in order to train safely and effectively.

Finding the right balance of building strength, flexibility, and stability is worth the effort. Most days I have no back pain if I stay consistent with my movement practices while giving equal importance to rest and sleep.

Summer reading

Here’s my summer reading so far. It’s obviously not Oprah’s Book Club.

I need something new to read. Any suggestions?

Scoliosis Awareness Month

June is scoliosis awareness month, and even though I'm aware of scoliosis every single day, I'd appreciate everyone taking a minute to learn something about scoliosis.

This infographic doesn't address adult scoliosis, which is caused by disc degeneration, so I wouldn't ignore this issue even if you never had scoliosis during adolescence.

Some studies show that a scoliotic curve may progress at a rate of 1 degree a year for the remainder of a person's life, which means that a minor adolescent curve may not be minor anymore by midlife and later.

Evolve or…

Evolve or Repeat?

There's a lot in those three words. Thought or movement patterns need to evolve over time, so let's release what's no longer needed.

New book on scoliosis

I just received my new book tonight, and can’t wait to read it.

I love supporting fellow scoliosis teachers, and learning from their insights.

Even though I have scoliosis, I also have a spinal fusion, so my embodiment is different from an unfused spine.

We can always learn from each other.

Mindfulness for kids

I’m looking forward to using this book for the last four week of kid yoga classes.

Lucky Dash gets to enjoy this book all summer long!

Here’s to creating your own summer reading list!

Step back

Our yoga practice gives us a chance to take a step back. A step back from the whirlwind of life, and a step inward to check in with ourselves. If we never take these moments in life to reflect on how we live, how do we know what we truly need?

Maybe in a moment of chaos you need to step back and water your flowers. True story.

Invest in yourself

How do you invest in yourself?

This may mean different things to each of us, such as: What do you do to fill your cup? What sparks your interest, joy, curiosity in life? How are you sustaining yourself for the long-term, instead of just getting through the day/week/month?

At this time two years ago, I was completely overwhelmed with starting homeschooling. For a while, I questioned myself about even teaching one yoga class. I thought that teaching one class was taking away from my most important priority at the moment, which was the health and education of our son. Then it clicked that I couldn't just forget about myself, my interests, my life, and my passions.

I transitioned from a place of fear to trust. Eventually I started teaching another class for adults, then a couple classes for kids (never expected to see myself doing this!), as well as teaching a few private clients. I feel busy, but happy.

It's easy to get consumed in the moment, and feel like there's not enough time for yourself. What I learned to do was to prioritize what is most important for our son, our family, and myself. This requires constant re-evaluation. I've found more room on my plate for what's truly a good investment. I love yoga and sharinging its benefits, and I'm constantly educating myself through books, courses, and workshops. I squeeze it in when I can.

Our personal investment includes our relationships, our community, our health, our mind.... we really have endless ways to invest in ourselves.

What comes up for you?

Happy birthday to me!

Am I at the age where I'm checking the math because I can't believe my age? Yes.

Am I proud of how I feel in my body, which a number can't dictate. Yes.

That's what counts.

My yoga practice has changed from when I started in my late teens, to my 20's, to my 30's, and currency in my 40's, and that's a beautiful thing. Yoga has so much to explore, and by honoring my body, I will be practicing till my very old and wise days. Yoga is key to healthy aging.

Jellyfish

I love watching jellyfish move through water. Their movements look so graceful, light, and effortless.

Our primary breathing muscle, the diaphragm, has a similar movement to the jellyfish. Practicing our breathing like a jellyfish can help us feel a 360 degree expansion with the breath.

High heels

I wore these high heels about 12 years ago to a wedding, and have not worn them since. So why have I lugged them around when I've moved, or let them take up space in my closet? I did a little clearing out yesterday, and these are going bye-bye.

The price of wearing high heels is not worth the physical aftermath. Now that I understand more about posture, loading our joints appropriately, and foot health, I can't wear something that will lead to back pain. The back pain is the most obvious, but the result of wearing heels can also present in foot, knee, or pelvic pain.

If you care about your posture, put your weight in your heels, and you can't do that when they are raised.

Do you know your pelvis?

Do you know where your pelvis is? How does it move?

The habitual position of our pelvis can affect the body in many ways, such as posture, stability, and weight distribution. If you'd like to be reacquainted with your pelvis, the yoga mat is a great place to start!