As a licensed massage therapist specializing in chronic pain for the past 15 years I felt there was a need to bring a form of yoga to many of my clients. Massage is beneficial for many, especially those dealing with chronic pain. However, what I’m able to offer as a massage therapist, is short term.
I’ve been suggesting yoga to my clients who are typically between ages of 40 and 75, equally male and female. Most of them are dealing with some form of chronic pain including frozen shoulder, scoliosis, neuropathy, MS, disc herniations and joint replacements to name a few. Several are looking for alternatives to their overuse of opioids.
The response from my clients when I’ve suggested trying yoga has been typical… “there’s no way I can do yoga, I’m not flexible, my body doesn’t move like that”.
I decided to focus on developing a type of “Mindful Movement” program that was inspired by some of the basic poses. The intent is to assist my clients on improving the quality of their lives by sharing ways to move daily to manage some of their chronic pain when they’re not in a massage session with me.
I have been offering Mindful Movement sessions for the 8 months. The participants have been diverse in age, gender and abilities. Use of the chairs has been an important aspect, especially as we have been focusing on balance and stability.
I have started each session with meditation and mindfulness breath work.
We have then moved into a series of movements to warm up joints and various muscle groups to increase movement and flexibility.
A flow of a standing yoga poses, with chair modifications for those in need is where we pull our movements together.
The session ends with additional breath work and meditation. The overall focus is on being mindful of posture, movements and intention of activity, emphasizing how beneficial even gentle movement can be daily.
Just Move
Feedback...
-my shoulder pain is 75% better immediately after class and continuing on.
-thank you for the session this morning, it lifted me physically and my spirits.
-this is exactly the movement I was looking for, not too little, not too intense.
-as you know I have always been resistant to going to yoga classes for many reasons. However, you have made your class such a safe place to practice yoga regardless of ability.
-we want to thank you for all your work in introducing us to Yoga. Your presentation allowed both of us to move at a pace that was comfortable for each of us. By providing a goal at the beginning of every session, we felt focused and saw the value and connection in the structure of each class.
