Small Group Yoga Physical Therapy

Class Descriptions and 2017 Schedule

Balancing Owl Yoga, Dublin, OH

Leg Series:  This series starts from the ground and works up to the thigh.  The focus is on how the regions of the body are interconnected and influence function.  For example, hip pain may originate from stiffness in the foot.  But pain may also arise from the interconnection of the body, mind and spirit.  Each class will also have a mindful focus to explore the influence of our thoughts, emotions and beliefs on sensations of the body.

Audience: People with pain conditions of the leg such as: plantar fasciitis, bunions, neuroma, osteoarthritis of the foot, knee or hip, anterior knee pain, hip impingement, past surgery

The Foot as the Foundation

The feet ground you to the earth and are a starting point for proper leg function all the way up to the hip.  In this class, we will explore stability and mobility of the toes, arches and heel.  You will come away with a better understanding of how the functions of the foot influence standing and walking.  The mindfulness practice will give you a sense of being grounded and centered.

Knee Pain?  Get the Train on the Track

The knee seems like a simple hinge in the middle of the leg.  However, it is strongly influenced by motion and function above (hip/core) and below (ankle/foot).  In this class we will explore mobility and strength of the entire leg while observing the influence on the knee.  When your knee is aligned with your hip and ankle it brings ease of movement.  When your thoughts and actions are aligned with your values it brings ease to life.

Knee Stiffness?  Ease into Moving

Pain leads to stiffness and stiffness leads to pain.  This vicious cycle compounds over time, affects other joints of the leg, and leads to limitations in daily function.  In this class, we will explore mobility of the knee, ankle and hip.  With this movement, we will unlock beliefs about pain, both physical and emotional so you can ease back into, not only moving but living.

Are Your Hamstrings Holding You Back?

Hamstrings are the large group of muscles in the back of the thigh.  Tightness in these muscles can limit the forward bending poses in yoga.  But why are they so tight?  Tightness in one area of the body can mean there is weakness present somewhere else.  This resistance can also be felt emotionally or spiritually.  In this class, we will explore resistance and nurture the body, mind and spirit.

Spine and Core Series:  In the center of the body, proper function of the spine depends on stability, mobility and maybe more importantly: control.  Unopposed strength can create strain and tension.  Sustained poor posture can create rigidity.  This series will focus on learning how to balance the spine through posture, muscular control, and mobility.  Because a flexible spine is a flexible mind.

Audience:  People with Pain conditions of the Spine such as: low back pain, disc herniation, degernative disc disease, degernative joint disease, sciatica, sacroiliac dysfunction, piriformis syndrome, neck pain, pinched nerve, etc.

Sundays 6-7:15:

·       June 4, 11, 25, July 9

Thursdays 6-7:15

-June 29, July 6, July 13, July 20

What have your Gluts done for you lately?

The Gluteal muscles surround the hip and pelvis but influence movement of the entire body.  Because they also provide padding for our daily sitting routine, poor function of the gluts seems to be an epidemic!  Proper function is also opposed by tight hip flexors, like Iliopsoas.  In this class, we will explore balance between the front and back of the hip and also our balance in life between work and play.

Deep Core Stability

In this class, we will explore:  What is the deep core?  And how do I activate it?  How do I engage it to stabilize the spine?  What do these muscles have to do with my sense of self?  The body is dependent on activation and control of these deep core muscles.  The mind is dependent on activation and control of a strong sense of self.

Oh, My Aching Back!

In this class, we will explore movements of the body that create tension in the back.   We will use guided motor imagery to envision movement without pain.  We will understand that pain management is recognizing all physical, emotional, mental and spiritual reasons for pain.

Opening the Thoracic Spine and Ribs to Free the Heart

We wear a rounded spine posture like a protective shell.  Is it because of the work we do each day or are we protecting the emotions of our heart?  Limited mobility of the chest, ribs and thoracic spine can affect breathing and lead to shoulder, neck, and back pain.   Gentle and moderate intensity poses will focus on twists and back bends to open the torso and free the heart.

Neck and Arm Series:  Our arms and hands are busy doing the work of our daily lives.  But are they doing the work of our heart’s desire?  Dysfunction of the arm may start centrally with tension and stiffness at the upper back and neck.  We need to learn to let go of beliefs and emotions that are holding us back before we can reach our full potential. In this series, we will deal with physical and emotional dysfunctional to create compassion and pain-free movement.

Audience: neck pain, rotator cuff tear, shoulder impingement, shoulder arthritis, tennis elbow, shoulder tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc.

Releasing Tension from the Neck and Shoulders

Why do those shoulders creep up to our ears?  The source of muscle tension can be physical, like your posture but also emotional, like your reaction to a recent email. This class will help you explore both the triggers and releases of pain related to the neck and shoulders.

Building a Foundation:  Neck and Scapular Core

Freedom of movement of the arms is dependent on a solid foundation.  In this class we will assess and explore movement and strength of the shoulder blades and front of the neck.  This anatomical area also relates to the energetic center of expression.  Whether through communication or creativity, how we express ourselves also provides freedom.

Reaching for the Stars:  Shoulder

The rotator cuff provides stability of the shoulder during reaching and overhead movements.  Learn how to promote proper movement and prevent “pinching” these muscles between bones in the shoulder complex.  But before we can reach for the stars, we may also need to lighten the physical and emotional load that is weighing us down.

Tunnels and Tendons of the Elbow, Wrist, and Hand

Many of the tendons that give us dexterity of the fingers originate at the elbow and cross through the wrist.  In the daily routine of typing and texting; reacting and responding, full range of motion becomes limited and emotional energy gets blocked.  Learn how to combine motions of these joints to get tendons gliding and energy flowing through the tunnels.