Guest guest Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Hello group! I have been practising Ashtanga Yoga for about 4 years now - I am pretty stiff, and still only halfway through the primary series. One of the reasons is that I periodically am unable to practise due to a back condition. This year is the second time I had to stop practising alltogether for some months due to intense sciatic pain. I have taken en MR-scan which shows a slipped disc in my lower back, which would be consistent with the symptoms I experience. I have been in doubt about how wise it is to continue practising ashtanga - It seems hard to keep away, and I keep coming back to the practice as soon as my symptoms fade; at the same time I wonder if I might be doing more damage than good. I am sure some of you other ashtangis has some experience with similar problems, and maybe some hints for my practise? Namaste D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Hi D. I don't think that you should completely quit doing Yoga during your times of pain. When those times come focus on other limbs and work on transcending your mind, creating unity and freeing yourself, then let it translate into your asanas. Namaste' Lotusrae ashtanga yoga, "Dimitrij Samoilow" <samoilow wrote: > > > Hello group! > > I have been practising Ashtanga Yoga for about 4 years now - I am pretty > stiff, and still only halfway through the primary series. One of the reasons > is that I periodically am unable to practise due to a back condition. This > year is the second time I had to stop practising alltogether for some months > due to intense sciatic pain. I have taken en MR-scan which shows a slipped > disc in my lower back, which would be consistent with the symptoms I > experience. I have been in doubt about how wise it is to continue practising > ashtanga - It seems hard to keep away, and I keep coming back to the > practice as soon as my symptoms fade; at the same time I wonder if I might > be doing more damage than good. I am sure some of you other ashtangis has > some experience with similar problems, and maybe some hints for my practise? > > Namaste > D. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Ashtanga yoga is very demanding and this should be understood. The most important thing yoga teaches us is who and what we are. There are times when it is important to stop and look at what is going on sometimes there are obsticals that are too big to ever conquer without help. Mysore classes will help identify difficult areas and Iyengar classes will allow for an even deeper look Listen to your body not your ego Namesta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suthra Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 i would advice you not to do any back bending yoga, Best wishes., Sarathy.s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Hi D; I have not specifically had your back problem, but I have an upper back problem (around T6) that is reccurrent. I have found acupuncture to really help. In fact, the only time I have a back problem these days is when I don't go to acupuncture regularly. Good luck, Tracy ashtanga yoga, "Dimitrij Samoilow" <samoilow wrote: > > > Hello group! > > I have been practising Ashtanga Yoga for about 4 years now - I am pretty > stiff, and still only halfway through the primary series. One of the reasons > is that I periodically am unable to practise due to a back condition. This > year is the second time I had to stop practising alltogether for some months > due to intense sciatic pain. I have taken en MR-scan which shows a slipped > disc in my lower back, which would be consistent with the symptoms I > experience. I have been in doubt about how wise it is to continue practising > ashtanga - It seems hard to keep away, and I keep coming back to the > practice as soon as my symptoms fade; at the same time I wonder if I might > be doing more damage than good. I am sure some of you other ashtangis has > some experience with similar problems, and maybe some hints for my practise? > > Namaste > D. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 There is a lot you can do to avoid this reaccuring injury but the best is to find a really good teacher and perhaps have one or two private lessons so that the teacher can focus on you and your practice. Then he/she can give you suggestions for avoiding this problem. It's not an easy thing to solve and being in a large group, a teacher can't focus on giving you individual suggestions. There are plenty of general alignment rules but it is a loooonnnng email to write all that down :-) and it is easier to understand when someone is there to show you. But one thing, be sure not to do anything that hurts!! Okay, got to go pick up my baby , good luck, Linda Linda Munro Ashtanga Paris www.ashtangayogaparis.fr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Hello there! I thought I'd jump in (or through!) here... Do you take classes with anyone or are you practising on your own? Your teacher(s) should have something to say about this if you have one. I was just at a training with David Swenson and I remember him mentioning something about being careful about (meaning not to do them) backbends with slipped discs. Every time you do upward dog you are doing a backbend, and if you let your abs and butt sag and your legs disengaged you will injur your low back. The key to avoid low back pain in general in up dog is to lift from your chest out the top of your head, legs engaged, knees lifted and abs strong. You can do this on your knees to avoid collapsing in the low back, or do a cobra instead (body on the floor, lifting the chest and head only). Remember a backbend is really about the chest lifting. Hope this helps. I started having lower back pain awhile back and a pilates instructor friend of mine saw my up dog and made me realize I wasn't engaging my core muscles and poof, problem solved! Hope this helps, DeAnna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2006 Report Share Posted October 21, 2006 Hi Dimitrij and group, I am having a very similar problem, I have a very intense sciatica pain, and just yesterday at the locker´s room I asked a medical friend to translate the word sciatica from portuguese to english so I could post something here about what I´m going though. I´m dealing with this pain for 4 months now, every single day. My instructor (he´s the only authorized teacher in Brazil) once told me that the name of the first series (yoga chikitsa) means yoga theraphy, which is by practicing everyday you can heal any problems you have. As Pattabi Jois say: practice, practice, practice. He told me to keep practicing, respecting my limitations, imposed by the pain, but alawys "feeling" it and understanding in what ways I fell the asana less painful. If I can´t make the posture, that´s ok, at least I tried. By trying, we are learning to hear our bodies. Yesterday I had to stop 4 times to catch my breath. The pain was so intense, that I thought of giving up. But as I breathed, I felt better and get back to where I was. But I decided to go one step backwards so I can go 2 forward soon. Since this morning my practice goes to purvatanasana, and straight to the finals. I felt a little upset with this idea at the beginning (it was my idea), but I realized how attached I was to bujapindasana (I can almost do it now), and that I have to un-attach. This way I don´t stop practicing during this crisis, and, at the same time, I can give the sciatica a little rest. The other thing he told me was that the pain is on my mind, I created it and I sustain it. He advised me to attend a 10 day residential course in Vipassana meditation (www.dhamma.org). I hope my testemonial was useful, and if you have any thoughts on my situation, feel free to say it. Peace, Anis ashtanga yoga, "Dimitrij Samoilow" <samoilow wrote: > > > Hello group! > > I have been practising Ashtanga Yoga for about 4 years now - I am pretty > stiff, and still only halfway through the primary series. One of the reasons > is that I periodically am unable to practise due to a back condition. This > year is the second time I had to stop practising alltogether for some months > due to intense sciatic pain. I have taken en MR-scan which shows a slipped > disc in my lower back, which would be consistent with the symptoms I > experience. I have been in doubt about how wise it is to continue practising > ashtanga - It seems hard to keep away, and I keep coming back to the > practice as soon as my symptoms fade; at the same time I wonder if I might > be doing more damage than good. I am sure some of you other ashtangis has > some experience with similar problems, and maybe some hints for my practise? > > Namaste > D. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2006 Report Share Posted October 21, 2006 Dear Ashtanga pals, I suffered from similar pain 2 years ago & now no more! I went for a whole series of acupuncture (a good & expensive one) which did help lessen the pain by a whole lot. I do not think it is wise to ignore the pain & keep doing what you have done. The pain is telling us something is wrong & that we have to change. I stopped practice for 2 weeks the longest as far as I can remember. Fortunately I had two great teachers Ken & Paul who advised me to: 1. instead of a longer exhale, breathe equal time in both inhale & exhale. Think about breathing into the pain area hence healing it. 2. with every asana, Œelongate & lengthen¹ from your pelvis & core. Focus on the thigh but not to bend with arm muscle. Hope it helps! I know how painful it is... Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2006 Report Share Posted October 21, 2006 Hi Anis Sorry to hear about your pain. Yes, your teacher is correct - "practice, practice, practice..." but this SHOULD be accompanied by some helpful corrrective advice aimed at alleviating your pain. Its is NOT enough to just say "practice", this is easier said than done. Also, the bit about pain being in the 'mind' I also agree with to a certain degree. However, this often doesn't help the sufferer!!! Nobody in pain wants to hear this! I teach ashstanga and have studied intensively with Nancy Gilgoff regarding adjustments and have touched upon the subject of sciatica also. One thing that is common among pretty much ALL sciatica sufferers is that they have a tendency to place too much pressure on the HEEL and not enough on the pads of the feet and the toes. Sciatica sufferers in class have a tendency to lean backwards, and during everyday life also. Try this: in class for the next 2 weeks make a STRONG attempt to lean forward more on all the standing postures, especially: During Surya Namaskara -> Samasthiti, Urdhva Vrikasana, Uttanasana A, Uttanasana B Primary series: Padangusthasana Pada Hastasana Prasarita Padottanasana A/B/C/D Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana Make an attempt to activate the toes and place more emphasis on the pad of the foot. Practice 6 days a week and see what results you get after 2 weeks of this. Tell your teacher about this and ask him/her to observe your posture and help you out with. During the day, be conscious of whereabouts you are placing pressure on your feet. Be vigilant and make sure you are NOT leaning too far back. Also, you would DEFINITELY benefit from getting a pair of these shoes: http://www.swissmasai.com/ Currently they are only sold in the US, Asia, Europe and Australia, but if you get a chance to check them out grab a pair. I have just bought some myself and they are nothing short of a miracle! And no, I don't work for them! I actually think every yoga student and yoga teacher should own a pair. Good luck Anis, and to every other sciatica sufferer. I have suffered from sciatica myself and know how harsh it can be. But believe this: it WILL go away. Keep practicing, take responsibilty for yourself (ie. follow the guidelines above) and keep believing. Best wishes - dj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 Hey guys, This is my first contribution but I think it will be helpful. I run a Complementary Health and Yoga centre in the UK. I deal with sciatic pain all the time. It's all to do with a muscle called the Piriformis. The Piriformis runs from the edge of the sacrum (base of the spine) to the out side edge of the upper leg (greater trochanter of the Femur). Now a tight Piriformis will press directly on the sciatic nerve, which will give you symptoms of sciatica. Some physio's call this Piriformis syndrome. It is due to our sedentary lifestyle, tight medial hamstrings, and poor evolutional design. A fantastic posture to practice is raja kappotanasana (pigeon posture) as well as forward bending over your legs in half lotus position. Now as some of you may be aware, primary series and second series don't have a pigeon posture, so even though teachers, who say practice have a very valid point, it may be that you need to insert some specific rehabilative postures into your practice. The art of yoga is listening to you body. I teach my students the three E's: Exploring your Envelope of Elasticity. Study the restrictions of your body and challenge them. Soften your practice while you rehabilitate your injury. Yours in yoga, Rob www.plumb-blossom.com ashtanga yoga, Gary & Amy <leeyip88 wrote: > > Dear Ashtanga pals, > > I suffered from similar pain 2 years ago & now no more! > > I went for a whole series of acupuncture (a good & expensive one) which did > help lessen the pain by a whole lot. I do not think it is wise to ignore > the pain & keep doing what you have done. The pain is telling us something > is wrong & that we have to change. > I stopped practice for 2 weeks the longest as far as I can remember. > > Fortunately I had two great teachers Ken & Paul who advised me to: > 1. instead of a longer exhale, breathe equal time in both inhale & exhale. > Think about breathing into the pain area hence healing it. > 2. with every asana, Œelongate & lengthen¹ from your pelvis & core. Focus > on the thigh but not to bend with arm muscle. > > Hope it helps! I know how painful it is... > Amy > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Hi Dj, Thanks a lot for your advices and tips. I've printed the e-mail to make sure that I won´t forget anything on it. I´ll try to do what you suggested and I´ll write telling the results. Thank you again. Namaste, Anis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Hi Rob, Great info you gave us. Thanks. I´ll look for this posture and I´ll practice it. This e-mails are very helpful. Anis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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