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Scoliosis is derived from the Greek word skol, which means twists and turns. Scoliosis appears in cave paintings of prehistoric man. In the fourth century B.C. Greek physician Hippocrates treated scoliosis with braces. Modern science has helped doctors to better understand this spinal twist.

Because of the rotation in the spine caused by scoliosis, one side of the ribs will protrude in a posterior direction. Over this protrusion there frequently develops a tense, painful mass of muscle tissue. Scoliosis shifts the center of balance, slight to severe, leaning to one side of the body. The curve can be either a c or s shape in the spinal column. The waist is often uneven. Ankle, shoulder and hip problems are not easily recognized until the mid 20’s in most cases. Seven times as many women as men have scoliosis.

The curvature can take place anywhere in the spinal column but there are four common patterns. Scoliosis is characterized by a lateral curvature of the spine, and rotation of the affected vertebrae toward the side of the concavity. The ribs are compressed on this side of the spine, and on the other side, the convex side, the ribs spread apart. The posterior view of someone with a scoliosis shows uneven sides of the back.

Yoga has incredible benefits for preventing further rotation, and improving ability to correct asymmetries. It is important to work the muscles of respiration, including the diaphragm, which pranayama is a wonderful tool to use. The yoga poses increase spinal extension and help to improve posture and center of balance.

I started taking regular yoga classes at age 20; until 20 I was hit and miss with classes for four years. I have always been very athletic, into fitness and believed from a young age the importance of healthy eating so yoga and the yogic life style fell into my life easily when I finally let it.

I was taking classes with the same teacher 3 times a week so it did not take long for my body to start opening up, and for the teacher to get to know me and my body. It was after maybe 2 or 3 weeks of classes that the teacher pulled me aside after class and handed me a bunch of information on yoga and scoliosis. She told me that it was common and assured me that yoga was very good therapy for someone living with a curved spine.

After our talk I wanted to burst into tears, my hopes and dreams at once came pouring out my eyes and for two hours all I could do was feel sorry for myself. After that I was shy to return to class because I felt different from everyone else, and that everyone would notice my back. Thankfully I enjoyed the yoga classes so much that within a week I was back on my mat and after reading the material my teacher had given me I had a deeper understanding of yoga.

It was not much after this time that I accepted yoga into my daily life and started collecting DVD’s and books with material I could use to teach myself the yoga my body needed. I found Elise Miller’s DVD “Yoga For Scoliosis” and finally started to understand the anatomical imbalance I was living with. The DVD helped me completely stop sympathizing for myself and move on. One week I thought yoga and all other activities were over for good, and that I would one day need to have my spine operated on, and that the scoliosis would become more and more painful. Then flick! The light went on I realized I needed yoga and a yogic lifestyle more then ever, and I would be fine! It has now been four years that I have been aware of my spinal curvature in my yoga practice.

When I moved I found a new teacher who had a scoliosis and I learnt a lot about myself studying with her. We did a lot of restorative yoga and brought focus to the breath and breathing. She also introduced me to meditation. After working with her and a few other styles and teachers I became really tuned into my inner voice -things my body needed that no one was giving cues for. Meanwhile, my home practice was taking over my life! All I wanted to do was yoga and the more I listened to the voice inside the better my practice became. Yoga was ebbing and flowing through me.

I knew I wanted to share what I had discovered so I started looking for a teacher and style to train under and through a whirl wind of coincidences I ended up at Chinook Yoga Studio in Prince George and realized I could train as a SOYA Registered Yoga Teacher! I am so thankful for my body! Once I accepted the reality I was faced with, all the dreams I had years ago started coming true for me, which is what I initially expected least from the situation! My spine is a gift to help me through my spiritual journey in this life.

Healing Scoliosis is much more then straightening a curved spine or curing a disease. It is learning to love and nurture ourselves and trust our inner knowing to guide us.

If you would like to read the full form of Jamie-Lynn Wedde’s Specialty Project on Yoga for Scoliosis, please email Mugs McConnell at info@soyayoga.com and we will send it to you in pdf format.