aching hamstrings

[Guest guest]

Help... any advise for the sciatic thing?

[Guest guest]

Not a problem that I have had the pleasure of, so

far. But some ideas:<br><br>The relief you need may be

contained with the Ashtanga system. But you may have to be

a bit creative and exploratory to get it that way.

It is certainly possible that your yoga practice is

the cause of the problem or is making it worse.

Actually the real cause is more likely pre-existing deep

tension, the removal of which is one of the primary

purposes of asana practice. You may need to greatly modify

your practice for awhile to investigate and correct

this problem.<br><br>There are some very good books on

yoga which have lots of information on this problem,

what causes it, and how to fix it.<br><br>The top book

I would recommend for help on this is Back Care

Basics by Mary Pullig Schatz, M.D. She is a doctor who

fixed her own back problems by practicing yoga. She

studied with BKS Iyengar. This book is a classic and one

of the very best on therapeutic yoga. Read more

about it here:

<a href=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0962713821/

target=new>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0962713821/</a><br>Get this

book!<br><br>A couple of other good books on

therapeutic yoga:<br>Relax and Renew by Judith Lasater, Ph.

D, P.T<br>The New Yoga for People Over 50, Suza

Francina<br><br>You might also want to look for a yoga teacher who is

therapeutically oriented.<br><br>And for some general advice on

non-injurious yoga practice, check out

<a href=http://www.extensionyoga.com

target=new>http://www.extensionyoga.com</a><br><br>A more expedient way to get

some releif would be to

go see a bodyworker such as a Hellerworker

<a href=http://www.hellerwork.com target=new>http://www.hellerwork.com</a> or a

Rolfer <a href=http://www.rolf.org target=new>http://www.rolf.org</a>

<a href=http://www.rolfguild.org target=new>http://www.rolfguild.org</a> . There

may be any number of other types of

massage therapists near you that may be

helpful.<br><br>From the little I have read on this, sciatica can be

caused by tension in certain muscles pressing on the

sciatic nerve or it can be caused by a bulging disc. The

latter may be more serious, but in either case it can be

fixed.<br><br>Hopefully you can see this as a "blessing in disguise"

which can take you way deeper into your study and

practice of yoga. I'm sure you can heal yourself of this

if you apply yourself to it, listening carefully to

your body, working with patience, and learning with an

open mind. It may take some time.<br><br>Perhaps

others will have some more ideas.<br><br>Have faith! And

good luck on your healing journey....

[Guest guest]

Thanks TLSlade....<br>Iv tried everything & body

work is something I endulge in. My practise is at 3

days a week (a painful decision, but had to be done).

My yoga has transformed into a humbling healing

retreat. Anyway... I will continue to sit in 1/2 Virosanna

to ease the tweek. Do take care<br>padmajf