Clients that come to my yoga class or to see me privately always start by telling me about the injury or damage sustained to the body. It is usually a story of something broken with the assumption that it can’t be fixed. What I have learned is that very few people really understand the functional anatomy of their body and (it seems even less!) of the spine. He or she has only been exposed to reports or pictures of the damage or pathology of the body. The words and images have “stuck” so that now the client’s impression of the body or spine is one of being broken or “a mess”.

My goal is to improve your understanding of how amazing the body really is. It has the potential to heal, but when a tissue is damaged (like a ligament) the body has one or more “back up” systems to create support for injured the area. For example, the disc is not the only connective tissue that holds your vertebra together! You have many more ligaments, muscle, and fascia that create layers upon layers of support for your spine.

So if you like anatomy, you’ll like this video. And if you’ve ever seen an X-Ray or MRI of your spine, watch this video to put a new and maybe more positive image into your brain about your low back.

I also offer another way for you to think about support. Your spine may feel less supported when you talk to yourself in a negative way. The messages that you send to yourself have the ability to break you down or create support. Try telling yourself this:

• I’m doing the best that I can

• I am enough

• I am worthy of love

• I can learn from this failure

Once you start giving yourself internal support, you will start to notice that you also have external support. You have family, friends and colleagues that are ready to support you.

Because the practice of yoga integrates the body and mind, a physical practice focused on creating support of the low back can help you realize the other ways and people that are present to support you.

This month and next, I’m offering a few evening classes to increase the support that I can offer you. Check out my schedule and sign up at Balancing Owl Yoga.

Another way to get support is in my online class: Yoga for a Better Back. It offers 10 hours of content in lessons, meditations and gentle yoga. Each module provides a level of support that progresses as you learn and practice.

Namaste,

Stephanie