Principles of Therapeutic Yoga for Back Care

Back problems are almost epidemic in our society; in fact, chronic back pain lies at the root of the escalating opioid crisis, which has turned into a major public health issue in the U.S. Not surprisingly, the American College of Physicians now recommends that doctors recommend self-care techniques like yoga and Tai Chi for back pain sufferers before prescribing addictive drugs.

Research suggests that therapeutic yoga can offer a low-cost solution for back care. The question is how. The topic of how to best apply yoga for back care is vast, and there are numerous approaches to help balance the spine and relieve pain. In this course, we continue our series on Yoga for Back Pain. We are very pleased to welcome yoga therapist Deborah Wolk, co-founder of Samamkaya Yoga in New York City, who will share the therapeutic principles used for more than a decade in the highly successful Samamkaya Yoga program for back care.

Learn important tools for prevention of back issues and relief for ongoing back issues. This program focuses on helping those with pain from chronic musculoskeletal back and neck strain. You will learn simple and practical ways to address the underlying issues that often result in back pain.

What You Will Learn

• Anatomy of the spine: vertebrae and disks, vulnerable areas, spinal curves and their functions

• Structure of bones:  how bones are alive, have fluidity and can change and what it means for back care

• Common spine alignment issues and how they affect weight-bearing and range of motion

• Related conditions explained: hyperlordosis and hyperkyphosis, flattened spine, spondylolisthesis 

• Basic principles for yoga adjustment for these types of conditions

• Disc herniation and other disc conditions

• Lateral asymmetry: scoliotic changes and pelvic torque, SI joint dysfunction 

• Bone issues: arthritis and stenosis

• Yoga modifications and adjustment principles for the above

This Premium Course Also Includes These Bonuses!

• Two Yoga Practice Videos for Chronic Back Pain & Acute Back Pain: Enjoy two yoga practice videos Deborah created specifically for this course - a 50-minute video for chronic back pain and a 30-minute restorative practice to help calm the muscles of the back in acute back pain.

• Recordings of Both Sessions: Yours to keep. It’s generally acknowledged that many people only retain 10-20 percent of what they learn in a workshop. You will get access to the recordings of both sessions, enabling you to go back and listen to the workshop as many times as you like.

• Transcripts of Both Sessions: Ever wanted to refer to a certain part of a course? Even the best note takers miss a point every so often. With the transcripts of the webinar sessions, you can go back and refer to particularly important passages or clarify sections you were in doubt about.

This course qualifies for 3 non-contact hour CEs with Yoga Alliance.