? - old, disabled, or sick practitioners

[Guest guest]

Sat nam,

 

I am so thrilled by the Kundalini yoga I've been doing, following the

video, that I decided to offer to everybody I know free yoga - I

bring the video, pop it into their vcr, and we do it together. I hope

someone will get hooked as I am, so I will have a partner, or many

people to practice with.

 

My questions concern some of my friends:

One of 92 years old, healthy. She walks and gardens. I think no

problem.

 

Another weighs 300 pounds, takes psychiatric medication, low

motivation to do anything.

 

Another is 75 yrs old with congestive heart failure.

 

Her son has a hip problem, disintegrating I think. And diagnosed

schizophrenic, altho no meds.

 

What do you think?

Obviously I don't want anyone to come to harm. I am not a teacher,

and do not represent myself as such. I am a person watching a teacher

on a video, and want to share the viewing.

In my opinion, as long as a person is breathing they can do KY. Just

don't over-reach, go as far as comfortable, don't go to the level of

pain, or extreme discomfort. Listen to your body.

 

Well that is what I think and what I would say. I would like to hear

from the teachers out there, if they think I can safely offer this to

the above people.

 

Thank you!

 

kartar kaur

[Guest guest]

Dear Kartar Kaur,

 

Your instincts are guiding you. Everyone needs to move and breathe. Just

be appropriate for each situation. And being together enhances the energy

and opens the heart. Share, share and enjoy it.

 

SAt Nam,

 

Gururattan Kaur

[Guest guest]

Sat nam,

I am new to this list so I hope I'm in keeping with established traditions of

sharing

here

I am not a teacher but I do work as a counsellor in a pain clinic helping people

understand the connection between their mind and body through art and

relaxation. I use techniques I have learned from yoga and my other experiences,

though I mainly use breathing and meditation rather than postures due to the

physical limitations and difficulties of many of the people I treat.

 

I'm sure there are others on this list with more experience who will be able to

help

but since you didn't seem to have gotten a response I thought I'd share what I

know

from my experiences. You have a very diverse group of people with very different

requirements. This doesn't mean that they can't practice yoga but there do seem

to

be some factors that would require precautions and guidance. I'd be very very

careful

with intense meditations of any kind for someone who is living with

schizophrenia.

Please keep in mind that schizophrenics can easily loose themselves in fantasies

(and

in their negative connotations delusions) and staying grounded is very very

important.

 

For the purely physical limitations of your friends if they already know their

limits

(their real limits not what they think their limits should be) then they should

be okay

if they listen to their body and take responsibility for themselves. If not they

should

probably go see their doctor first to gain an understanding of what they can or

cannot

do safely.

 

I hope some of this helps. And, as I said, my experience isn't as a KY teacher

though I

practice KY and use some yogic breathing, meditation and relaxation techniques

in

my work (borrowed from kripalu, hatha and KY). I also work with physiotherapists

so

if I'm unsure about someone's physical limitations I have experts to confer

with. I'd

generally just advise you not to let your enthusiasm for KY and your desire for

a

partner lead you into unconsciously pushing someone into KY by their desire to

please you (their friend). I love KY but I'm not sure it's really the best form

for

everyone since it can be rather intense.

 

peace, love and kindness

ovasoul