Adaptive Yoga for Spinal Cord Injuries

ESTABLISH GOALS AND PURPOSE

Adaptive Yoga varies from person to person. 

Have a candid conversation with your yoga instructor from the beginning on your goals.

Explain your areas of injuries and capacity so you don't cause more harm to your injury.

Meet frequently with your instructor based on your goals. I encourage my clients to meet weekly or twice a week for the first few weeks.

Meditation Techniques

• Sit in a comfortable seated position 
• Hands on your knees, palms facing up
• First 2 fingers together in gana mudra 
• Eyes open if you're in nature (closed in a studio) 
• Breathe in through your nose, out through your nose
• Breathing: Inhale for 5-7 seconds, Exhale for 5-7 seconds. Holding your breath isn't recommended for this meditation. 
• Invite students to focus on their breath and listen to the sounds around them (or to the silence or calming music in studio)
• Starting Meditation: should last for 3-5 minutes. Longer if focus is on meditation.
• Ending Meditation: 3-5 minutes (longer if desired) 

Benefits of doing Yoga in Nature!

Benefits:Yoga in Nature!
This week we held our morning yoga practice in a bird preserve natural park. Here are a few benefits we received...

• Rejuvenated the body as we felt the gentle breeze from the water during asana positions
• Calmed the mind as we listened to the peaceful chirping of birds during Shavasana
• Relaxed the heart as we increased our appreciation and connection with nature during opening meditation

The perfect way to touch each of the 3 areas of yoga; body, heart and mind!