What every Yoga Teacher

needs to know about

Scoliosis

YOGABERRY

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Yogaberry

© Christine Jaureguiberry 2020

1. Scoliosis is more common than you might think! Scoliosis is a spinal condition that can have different causes but most of the time the cause is unknown and classified as idiopathic. It is a sideward curvature of the spine accompanied by rotation (called structural scoliosis) and affects 2-3% of the population so chances are high that you might have someone with scoliosis in your group class.

2. How to recognise Scoliosis Structural scoliosis can come in different shapes and curve patterns. You will notice a structural scoliosis most likely in forward bends (look out for asymmetries) but also if your student is standing in Tadasana. One shoulder might be higher than the other, one side of the waist might look different from the other, a shoulder blade could be protruding more than the other. Very often there is a distortion of the ribcage that will look bulkier on one side than the other. Only an x-ray or MRI will, however, reveal exactly what is going.

3. Fused spines vs non-fused spines Treatments for Scoliosis vary. Some children and teenagers are recommended to wear back braces, heel lifts or are prescribed physiotherapy. In extreme cases scoliosis can cause lung or heart complications in which case surgery might be the only option. Your student might have been wearing a brace as teenager or even had a spinal fusion surgery in which case he or she will have had metal rods inserted into their back.

There are different types of surgeries so it’s important to educate yourself if you have a student who has had surgery as they might have very limited or no flexibility in their spine and this will affect their yoga practice!

If your student has not had a spinal fusion surgery, he or she will have full flexibility of their spine.

4. Pain vs degree of the curve Scoliosis is usually measured in degree of the Cobb angle. Anything from 11 degrees upwards is classified as scoliosis and anything from 45 degrees will be classified as severe scoliosis.

The degree of the curve does not have a direct correlation to pain and many doctors will say that scoliosis does not cause pain. However, because of the imbalances that are presented many people that have scoliosis also have back pain. You can help by getting your students to move and breathe!

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Yogaberry

© Christine Jaureguiberry 2020

5. Yoga can be very beneficial for scoliosis You are a Yoga Teacher so you are very well aware of the benefits of yoga. Increasing strength and flexibility can be great and can help to tone tight and weak muscles that are either short on the concave side or overstretched on the convex side. Movement, core and upper body strength are really important for those with scoliosis.

Pranayama and relaxation are also very helpful for those that suffer from breathing problems due to the compression of the ribs, pain or stress & anxiety.

6. Yoga can be problematic for those that have scoliosis Scoliosis is an asymmetric condition so you can’t approach it in a symmetric way which is often the case in yoga. For example, a side bend might be beneficial for one side but completely counterproductive for the other! Most of the time there is not just one curve but at least two so that will obviously complicate matters.

Due to the rotational component of scoliosis Yoga poses such as twists, backbends, forward bends and side bends can be problematic if they are not done without awareness of the individual curve pattern.

7. Scoliosis can have not only a physiological but also an emotional impact

We have briefly touched on the number of treatments that your student might have gone through (back brace, surgery etc) which can have had a big impact emotionally. They might feel broken, ashamed or unhappy about the way they look.

8. Do not diagnose your students Unless you are trained and qualified to do so please do not attempt to diagnose your student. Even if you see an imbalance you can gently guide them but if they have not mentioned that they have scoliosis you shouldn’t be the one to tell them! That’s not why they came to see you.

Exception: children and teenagers. If your student is still growing curves can progress quickly so if you suspect something tell the parent but word it carefully ie. “I am under the impression that…”

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Yogaberry

© Christine Jaureguiberry 2020

9. Language & adjustments Keep in mind the emotional impact that scoliosis can have on your student. Language matters. Things like “keep your spine straight” or “protect your back” might be triggering a negative response. The thing they need from you is being positive and helping them to feel confident.

The same goes with adjustments. They can be helpful to help your student find more symmetry in a pose but don’t correct them ALL the time – especially in a group setting.

10. Yoga with Scoliosis vs Yoga for Scoliosis As we established yoga can be very beneficial for those with scoliosis. I differentiate between Yoga with Scoliosis meaning someone with scoliosis coming to a general yoga class and Yoga for Scoliosis which is a more tailored practice that takes all typical scoliosis challenges into consideration.

In Yoga for Scoliosis we look at adapting and adjusting yoga poses to individual curve patterns. This means that a yoga poses will not be done the same way on one side to the other.

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Yogaberry

© Christine Jaureguiberry 2020

Final words of advice

Scoliosis is a 3-dimensional condition that can be complex to work with. It can not only have a physical impact but also emotionally and mentally. Do not be afraid to ask for help and refer to a medical professional if necessary.

You can find more resources on my website www.yogaberry.net and my YouTube channel https://youtube.com/c/YogaberryNetUK

About Christine

Christine came to yoga as she had been suffering from scoliosis and back ache since she was a teenager. She was looking for a way to manage her back pain and found that Yoga gave her the tools and empowerment to be in control of her own well-being. She is a fully qualified Yoga Alliance Professionals (UK) Yoga Teacher, a Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher, Yoga for Scoliosis (Adelene Cheong & Elise Browning Miller) and Restorative Yoga Teacher (Judith Hanson Lasater). Christine teaches online and in person classes, workshops and trainings to students from all over the world. She is the creator of Yogaberry, an online Yoga for Scoliosis community and resource for all things back care and scoliosis.

To get in touch with Christine please visit www.yogaberry.net or email info@yogaberry.net