Scoliosis Exercises
Yoga therapy for Scoliosis
Yoga, meaning yoke or union, is an ancient physical mental and spiritual practice with its roots going back 5,000 years to India. The practice of hatha yoga which includes the physical postures, breathing techniques and relaxation has many physical benefits such as improved posture and increased flexibility and strength.
Yoga props - cat wouldn't get out of the way!
The body with scoliosis has developed a highly sophisticated compensating 'act' and it can also learn a more refined symmetrical 'act' with proper instruction. By combining the yoga postures with breathing awareness, one can develop a structural alignement, creating a more normal symmetrical alignment. This is accomplished by stretching muscles that have tightened and strengthening muscles that have become weak from this asymmetrical imbalance.
Thereby the body will create a more effortless posture using the bone structure, rather than over working the muscles to hold itself up. Through yoga, once can find that balance point that allows the scoliosis curve to coexist with gravity and activates the body's natural plumb line. The result for most people with scoliosis is better posture and less pain.
Choosing to do yoga for scoliosis requires commitment and inner awareness. With scoliosis, it is important to not expect perfection but instead accept oneself, and find ones own optimal alignment and center. As there is beauty in the straight alignment of a palm tree, there is also beauty of an oak tree with it's many twists and turns. Psychologically, doing yoga is very empowering. It gives hope that we can do something to improve our condition and our quality of life.
Yogilates for Scoliosis
Yogilates was created in 1997 by certified Pilates instructor and personal trainer Jonathan Urla click here to go to his website, who became originally inspired to blend his training from Pilates with his practice of hatha yoga after taking a yoga class right after a Pilates session. He found his practice got much easier and he felt better aligned and able to accomplish the poses with more effectiveness because his spine was already warmed up properly and he was connected to his center from the Pilates workout. He saw a need for more effective core strengthening in the discipline of yoga and believed that the Pilates method offered a refined technique that could be integrated into the practice of yoga for this reason. He also believed that yoga had a lot to offer all exercise enthusiasts, including Pilates devotees, because of its' emphasis on the breath for support and relaxation, and its' mental focus. He wanted to integrate the two in a fun, accessible, and effective training regimen that would be a complete training system with all the benefits of both Pilates and yoga.
Over the years, Jonathan has used his knowledge of exercise science, proper alignment, and sound bio-mechanics, to develop a detailed practice with over 300 exercises from beginner to advanced. His book and videos establish a progressive system of learning the functional skills of Yogilates which allows people of all abilities to use the technique to achieve better posture and improved performance in all activities, as well as achieve reduced stress and reduced the risk of injury.
Today, Yogilates is practiced by thousands who have purchased his book/DVD or Video, and he has certified other instructors who teach Yogilates group classes all over the country. Jonathan has taken his workshops around the country and his work is credited with helping to influence the evolution of yoga all over the world.
Jonathan Urla, MFA, has been a leader and innovator in the world of fitness and dance for over 20 years. His athletic training began with self-taught gymnastics, diving and skiing and later progressed to classical and modern dance. After spending ten years as a professional dancer and choreographer, Jonathan returned to sports training competing in triathlons and becoming a certified personal trainer.
His strong commitment to intelligent exercise led Mr. Urla to the teachings of Joe and Clara Pilates and to an in-depth study of hatha yoga.
Becoming fully certified in Pilates, studying both at Power Pilates and the Pilates Studio in New York, Jonathan is now recognized in the field as an expert in Classical Pilates. A long time veteran of yoga, Jonathan began to notice a symmetry between the two techniques and futhered his study into their mental and physical disciplines. Incorporating his knowledge of dance and sports medicine, he eventually created the unique system of Yogilates in 1997 as an alternative system for optimal fitness and health. The popularity and effectiveness of his work has been noted in newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times, Shape, YogaJournal, FitYoga, Elle, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Village Voice, Newsweek, Self, Fitness, Allure, as well as international publications. He has given interviews to ABC News, CBS, CNN, and both Lifetime Live and Discovery Health have produced segments about Yogilates.
His book on Yogilates titled, Yogilates - Integrating Yoga and Pilates for Complete Fitness, Strength, and Flexibility, was published by Harper Collins in 2002. Since then, it has been translated in German, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. He has also produced and starred in six yoga and Pilates workout videos.
Jonathan still considers himself a student as well as a teacher, attending advanced teacher training workshops and seminars in yoga and Pilates around the country. He teaches regularly for Sports Club/LA in New York, as well as directing the Pilates programs at the Martha Graham Center for Dance and the Alvin Ailey Dance School. He is an avid presenter, teaching workshops and seminars all over the world, and is on staff at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies and Kripalu Center for Yoga. Jonathan trains clients privately, including celebrities and busy New York professionals, and is used regularly by the media as an expert on fitness and health.