YT(T) Physical Rehabilitation

 yogatrainingtouch.com

Physical Rehabilitation: Specifically designed for clients seeking specialized alignment(s), a centered frame, body balance, flexibility, stability, strength, surgical recovery and or pain relief! Includes safe movements, attentive breaths & proper technique for body integrity, wellness, and recuperation. Utilizing a functional format to improve form as form improves function.*

I usually recommend beginning supine, lying on your back. Background (pun intended) reasoning is a Service (SEVA) Workshop sponsored by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (iayt.org) wherein Jon Kabat Zin a premier yoga therapist, meditation and wellness expert provides information, required reading for anyone applying for the SEVAward. Other requirements included the aforementioned workshop taught by a yoga therapist in a wheelchair. My understanding, per instructional intention (sankalpa) is the Earth (see also Earthing), ground, floor and other supportive surfaces provide relief.

Relief is a feeling of reassurance and relaxation following release from anxiety or distress. An assistance, ... given to those in special need or difficulty. The alleviation of pain, discomfort or distress. Beneficial effects from relief vary from person to person; a person feels comfort, ease and pleasure as needed.

In yoga therapy at Yoga Training (Touch) sentient feeling sensations can be awakened see also "YT(T) Energy Facilitation". Following the felt relief from supine Stretching in a YT(T) Physical Rehabilitation Session and or program is Stabilizing, occurring in the form of hand or foot balances and next is Strengthening. Pose (asana) addressing kinetic chain "stacking" can provide 'lift' as inner holds known as bandhas support the body's frame subtly enhancing to 'lift' holding, think of feeling secure and comforted by a hug only your own body's where-with-all from within. Participating in YT(T)'s Physical Rehabilitation optimizes, notice "om", "opti" (perceptions) and "optimistic" word correlations to optimization, where form follows function and vie-a-vie as function follows form! 

Miracles

​​I was asked by a client, "Do you believe in miracles?" The short answer is yes. The long answer begins with the awareness that Charles Babbage (1791-1871), an English Polymath considered by some as the “Father of the Computer” has stated, "If we define a miracle as an effect of which the cause is unknown to us, then we make our ignorance the source of miracles!" To counter ignorance let us define responsibilities, realize values of source and choose subtle-body principles☮️

First, to understand classic physical (hatha), mental (jnana), cultivation (raja), causation (karma) and reverence (bhakti) practices are taught via eight-limbs (as(h)tanga). Within ashtanga are specific practice examples. Faith (ishvarahpranidhana) for example is a polite (niyama) serene-determination connected to hope and love. Astanga classic practice responsibilities include, civil (yama), polite (niyama), posture (asana), breath (pranayama), hold-tension (pratyahara), attention (dharana), meditation (dhyana) and living-meditation (samadhi)🆔

Second, to realize wellness within the Yoga Therapy Bio-enviro-psycho-socio-philosophical (Panc(h)a-maya-kosha) model from the values of longevity, vitality, mentality, intellectuality and spirituality. The model encompasses ‘five protections from illusion’, a more literal translation of the Sanskrit word pancamayakosha. The outermost bodily protection is biological (a(h)na-mayakosha) as well as being the first gross-body protection of the atmosphere working out into the cosm. The next protection (kosha) towards inner bliss is environmental (pra(h)na-mayakosha). Then, the psychological (ma(h)na-mayakosha), followed by the sociological protection known as vijna(h)na-mayakosha a wise intelligent intuition. All four koshas protect the a(h)nanda-mayakosh; the outermost macrocosmic protection is mirrored in the soul as the innermost protected sheath, veil, layer or micro-essence of source, force and or being⚛️

Next, through subtle-body principles particular to general and specific plexus (chakra) correlations in the seven to twelve system format. The Cavernous-cerebral plexus (Ajna, 6th chakra) is correlated to science, to proof. The Sacral plexus (Swadisht(h)a(h)na, 2nd chakra) is correlated to feeling, to theory. Specific to the vijnana-mayakosha, respective of 2nd and 6th chakra correlations, are relationship equity, a kindly togetherness for parasympathetic inhibition and excitation responses as well as top down, bottom up and processes that evolve around for information exchange. When through love, a Cardiac-pulmonary plexus (Anahata, 4th Chakra) correlation, a oneness of theory and proof unveils miraculous realities that defy death and provide cures, specifically with free and responsible (astanga) ways of understanding. Yoga therapy patrons benefit from innate full circle realizations integrated by a yoga therapist’s responsibilities, values and principles☯️ 

Furthermore, intuition (vijnana) is most closely correlated to bliss (ananda). In the Yoga Therapy model intuition is an aspect of sociology where theoretical feelings, such as feelings of equanimity (anahata), are validated by populations world-wide. Scientific research proofs when mathematically speaking, according to dictionary.com, are a way of understanding “in which there is an identity element that, on operating on another element, leaves the second element unchanged, and in which each element has corresponding to it a unique element that, on operating on the first, results in the identity element.” A verification by multiple groups is known as meta-analysis whereas correct correlations support theories. The UE Group of researchers at regroup.com eloquently states, "...success metrics, preferences, and ratings gathered from quantitative research helps validate and inform... By adding qualitative research takes it a step further, uncovering the motivations, behaviors and emotions..." An awe inspiring intelligence can be miraculous when allegedly unreplicatable revelations or unknown ancient practices are wisely accepted becoming future endeavors as intuition touches the soul💟

Finally, inspire (small) miracles with classic practice references in parentheses by noticing a happy blissful spirit through chakra correlations. The string of affirmations (japa) include: 1) Have ahimsa; without harm share the joy 2) feel the faith (ishvarahpranidhana); rejoice in joy 3) believe in yourself (astikya) to eccocentrically apply healthy-habits (hutu) and safety-rules (vrata)  4) Namaste is gracefully saying ‘thank you’ when leading and following your heart while omnipresently soul searching for ‘True Self Arise’ (Brahmin, Atman, Parusha, Id) with an attitude of gratitude and generosity 5) let laughter happen (bhoga) 6) Gently smile (sukha) 7) dare to dream ~ peace is possible (shanti) 8) explore beyond horizons with awareness (samadhi)  9) self-directed destiny is divinity (divya, nirvana, moksha) 10) seek heights and depths as well as open spaces and crowds in cosmic universal harmony (pranava) 11) compassionately embrace the journey victoriously (jaya) 12) smartly write a happy process and ending (buddhi). Observe the effects from the japa that can enlighten the anandamayakosha. Be protected without illusion (kosha) by the dance of energy; Om namah shivaya🕉

Yoga As Medicine (Yoga Therapy)

Yoga is a way of using our minds and bodies to feel good (therapeutic effects). Try cow's face (ghomukhasana) arms for shoulder flexibility and care. Use yoga breathing (pranayama) for energy and filtered air. Practice swan-feather pose (pinca-hamsasana) for lumbago and mind/body awareness. Yoga can be anecdotal for anyone; here are a few ways yoga has been medicinal for me.


Once, while snowboarding I fell off a rail and swiped my shoulder going down. My deltoids felt bruised (bleeding from the inside) and battered, of no use; possibly dislocated. Whatever the case, I was in grave pain.
Usually, I can deal and end up feeling fine. This time, was different; I sat on the deck of the lodge contemplating calling an ambulance. I couldn't drive in this state, I was dazed and confused. Where as, I have driven to the emergency room arm raised, while bleeding with no problem.

Anyway, my only reprieve was sitting in gomukhasana (cows face) arms. The arm of my hurt shoulder hugging behind my back reaching towards my cervical spine (neck) and the other arm reaching up past my ear bent at the elbow inching down my neck. I grasped my fingers together and held on despite the raging I felt through my shoulder.

I sat in ghomukhasana imagining an ambulance driving to the rescue while the pose did it's work. Finally, ten to twenty minutes later I released my hands from the pose (asana). Blood gushed (pumped) through my shoulder; range of motion intact.
I didn't ride the rest of the day. I enjoyed the sunshine and the fact I made it through major grief. I felt happy knowing I could survive and continue to ride another day, a different hour; albeit, more cautiously.

I continued to use cow's face arms diligently. Especially, that day and when I felt pain throughout the week and months ahead I'd reach into pose. Saved by the beneficial (therapeutic) effects of yoga.




Ironically I felt protected from smoke while working to put it out as a Wildland firefighter, but had no control over inhaling it as a "civilian". Over the next decade the air was seasonally smoky. During this time, I jogged in the midst of smoke; I recalled yoga breathing, breathing in and out of the nose only. I began using the technique while jogging. Snot poured out my nostrils, I became self-conscious but resolved to naturally filter the air; I was breathing .

Initially, I felt claustrophobic like I wasn't getting a full breath. However, I kept practicing and no longer needed an inhaler for the adult-onset asthma I had experienced. Difficulty breathing was now a non-issue. Simply, because I focused on pranayama (breathing), literally translated as "life force". The human body is truly its own best medicine.




Swan Feather Pose (Pinca-Hamsasana) a third example of yoga therapy came into my life after many months of misery. I awoke from sleep unable to get out of bed. I was paralyzed. I literally couldn't walk. I'd been going through some extreme life changes. My life felt like it was caving in on me and now I had to crawl like a baby.

I moved to Studio 18A. Grateful, for the square footage and beautiful views for private trainings. A Partner Yoga Session was scheduled; my clients entered. I had been crawling to get around and upon their arrival was able to stand, although the pain was debilitating. I greeted these clients with a smile, pretending I was perfectly okay. I sank down into a squat, as I began verbalizing ques. The session was a relative success for I could stand while squatting felt therapeutic. I went to a chiropractor and masseuse to enliven my body and decrease the sacral pain.


That year I attended a four day Yoga Therapy workshop. We breathed, chakra balanced, spoke about subtle energy and used hand symbols (mudras) to align and center along with gems, colors and aromas. We spoke about the process of healing and the importance of mind over matter. However, I was still feeling sacral pain and misalignment.

The final day of the Mind Body Conference we continually worked on asana. I was introduced to pinca-hamsasana. Many teachers chose not to move into the pose, yet I consistently inverted in this prone arm balance. The sacral pain ceased; I felt cured.



The healing process is truly amazing - Yoga can lead the way! Simply use the above yoga practices or better yet, cultivate your own. The examples prove asana and pranayama improve strength, balance and flexibility. As the saying goes, "movement is medicine..."