Injured

"Sometimes I hurt because I do yoga,  Other times I do yoga because I hurt, Either way yoga fixes me."


Today, the first is true for me, as I am sure many of you have experienced. My sacrum is locked on the left side because I have overstretched my left psoas. Well, well,  hurt doing yoga?

Yes.  I  believe that we get hurt in yoga because we are not fully present, or because our competitive nature rears its ugly head. There are certain poses that I want to attain, however this is not the goal of yoga. Yoga is a healing practice and when we forget that, and use yoga to compete with ourselves we end up hurt.

An injury, especially a minor one like mine, is a learning tool. A blessing. An opportunity to relearn how to listen to your body, slow down, and practice non attachment.

5 Modifications for Sacral Ouchiness:

Twists: when practicing twists allow the hips and pelvis to rotate slightly with the twist instead of keeping the hips square.By allowing the pelvis to move with the spine we prevent the separation of pelvis and sacroiliac joint. This will help promote motion in the area of the sacrum instead of allowing it to become tighter.

Seated Folds : bend the knee or knees, and be sure to move the pelvis forward with the spine.
As you are seated, imagine that the pelvis is a bowl full of water. To move the pelvis forward with the spine think about tipping the bowl and spilling water out of the front. If doing a double leg forward fold, move both sides of pelvis equally forward. If doing a single leg forward fold, tip the bent knee side of the pelvis slightly more forward. To reduce twisting, bring the foot closer to the opposite knee rather than the inner thigh. During a wide legged forward fold bring the legs closer together and rest the arms and forehead on a chair.

Pigeon: Avoid full king pigeon because this can increase instability. However, 1/2 pigeon, one of my favorites, is perfectly fine, however be sure to keep your hips square, this will help avoid overstretching the psoas, as I have, which also leads to instability. This would also be a great time to add a block to you pigeon. I specifically like the block, lengthwise  underneath my back quadricep. Doing this will also keep the pelvis level which relieves putting extra pressure on one side.

Back bends:  Standing back bend, or bow poses strengthens the low back and hips, which help to move the sacrum correctly and then hold it place.

Triangle: Helps to strengthen the hip rotator muscles which also stabilize the sacrum.


(View sacrum, pelvis, and sacroiliac joint here.)


Also, as shown here, injuries are an opportunity to learn more about my teaching practice. Now I will be better able to help those who have the same injury.

Much love and many blessings.

Today

I hear all over that it is impossible to teach yoga full time. I refuse to believe this.
This is my journey, my calling and my documentation of how I am going to make my living teaching yoga.

I graduated TT training after quitting a full time bar job and surrundered to the unknown. I got a job soon after teaching at BecomeFit  - Fort Collins, CO. I love it there. I see athletes of all shapes and sizes, ages and abilities which encourages adaptability.

I now also teach for KidsCrave Yoga in Fort Collins and Loveland, CO. I am very happy with this as well. I love how excited the kids are about the homework I give them, and how I get to connect with that youthfulness in my self.

This Friday I will be taking a YogaFit KidsYoga certification course. It just keeps getting better.

I have recently been looking to get into Yoga Therapeutics and an working towards volunteering at places like Retirement Communities, VA Hospitals, and advocate centers. I am also ready and hoping to take on personal clients. So here is the plan. I encourage everyone who (I am hoping reads this) will help keep me accountable and to also create a community where all the young yoga teachers who inspire to make yoga their career can come for ideas, support, and inspiration.

Much Love and Many Blessings,
Namaste