When it comes to how I feel about yoga, I’ve noticed that I am hyper aware of having scoliosis when I go to a typical yoga class. As some of you may relate, I don’t like to feel different because of my scoliosis. The reality is that I am differently abled than other people since I have a spinal fusion and an ‘S’ curve. Fortunately I’ve found styles of yoga that allow me to connect deeply with myself and feel confident in my ability to modify poses during yoga class that work for me.
Gaining awareness about my body through yoga and meditation has had numerous benefits for building awareness that helps me manage my scoliosis as well as support my mental state by reducing stress, overwhelm and anxiety.
In this post I will share the yoga styles that can provide relief, enhance body awareness, and foster a sense of inner peace for people with scoliosis. These types of yoga are also beneficial for meditation.
Recommended Yoga Styles for People with Scoliosis
Here are a few yoga styles that are well-suited for cultivating a meditative practice that also create a safe environment for people like us who may require modification and a slower pace.
- Gentle Yoga: This style of yoga is a variation of hatha yoga that is performed at a slower pace and with less intense positions. It is designed to be a more accessible and therapeutic form of yoga that is suitable for people of all ages and abilities.
- Yin Yoga: This practice involves holding passive, deep stretches for an extended duration. Yin yoga encourages relaxation and targets the deep connective tissues in the body, helping to release tension and promote flexibility while creating a calm and meditative state. My personal experience practicing Yin fostered a loving kindness towards my body and holds a very special place in my overall yoga practice.
- Restorative Yoga: Restorative yoga focuses on complete relaxation and rejuvenation. It utilizes props like bolsters, blankets, and blocks to support the body in comfortable poses for extended periods. This practice promotes deep relaxation, stress reduction, and allows for a meditative experience. If you experience chronic stress, overwhelm or have thyroid autoimmunity, this style of yoga is a great place to start.
- Yoga for Scoliosis: This practice is completely tailored to your needs based on your curve pattern. It is a transformative practice and I recommend it for anyone who has scoliosis. It does require some understanding of your curve pattern and a trained yoga for scoliosis teacher can evaluate your scoliosis so you know exactly how to modify and use props in a way that supports your body.
One thing to keep in mind as you consider trying different yoga styles is that learning our limits and edges is a valuable, and sometimes unsettling, part of it. I encourage you to go slow and ease into your practice. And if there is ever a time where you feel like you may have pushed it a little farther than your body is ready for, give yourself a couple days to rest and recover. In my experience, I find there is quite a bit of stiffness in my spine at times. Introducing movement is in my best interest, and I also recognize that it may not feel great (not painful, but definitely noticeable). I share this as an encouraging consideration. The scoli body can benefit greatly from movement, especially in the spine and core. Thanks to these yoga styles, we can achieve this in a safe and controlled manner as we gain flexibility.
