During the summer of 2005 I decided to, once again, give yoga a try. Being that I am a former scoliosis patient, fused with Cotrell Dubousset instrumentation from levels T2 to L 3, I have dabbled in yoga before but convinced myself that I could never progress in a program that emphasized spinal twists and backbends. Nevertheless, I began taking yoga classes in my hometown of Mobile, AL and discovered this time how life altering the practrice can be.
I found Ellen Kiley on the internet while searching “yoga for scoliosis,” and in attempts to get some feedback on safety with my yoga practice I decided to visit St. Simons, GA during the month of November 2005 to privately meet with Ellen. I was fascinated with her abilities to gracefully move her body through the poses with her spinal fusion and became inspired to hopefully one day teach yoga to other scoliosis and post-fusion patients.
During my sessions with Ellen I discovered how very important breathing is, and witnessed for myself how yoga breaths will release restrictions in the body and protect against injury. I had also been complaining for years of sharp pains in the rhomboid areas which would surface and nag for weeks before dissipating. As I moved from plank to Chataranga, Ellen pointed out that my scapulas were significantly “winging” away from my rib cage contributing to abnormal gliding of the shoulder and scapular complex. We figured this was why I was having pain and injury in that area. As an occupational therapist who studied anatomy in great deal, it made perfect sense that my scapular winging was due to weakness in the serratus anterior muscles. Ellen provided me with supplementary exercises, particularly “dolphin” to help strengthen my serratus muscles and in turn support the scapula during my practice.
We also discovered tightness in the pectoralis minor muscles which is a muscle that draws the shoulders down and forward. After years of working with pediatric patients flexed forward on the floor, it did not surprise me that these muscles were tight. I knew that I was having trouble in yoga class with shoulder openers, and as a fusion patient you must focus more on shoulder and hip opening (within limits) than spinal movements. Ellen taught me easy stretches to help with shoulder opening and stretching of pectoralis minor.
I was also instructed to no longer attempt plow position in my yoga practice, as this puts too much stress and pressure on my cervical vertebrate since my thoracic spine is immobile. I quickly realized that this was not the most comfortable pose for me even though I would continue to try to get the effects of it in class. We modified my shoulder stand to put the least amount of stress on my neck.
I was excited to learn I could work on backbends and realized that by opening my shoulders and supporting my lumbar spine, I could safely do this pose. I also learned the importance of protecting my unfused vertebrates L 4 and L5 since they will always take the stress and pressure of my daily activities. Through yoga I have learned that I cannot live in fear of damaging these discs, but rather develop awareness of using my strength to support this area. Particularly keeping strong abdominal muscles and strengthening my pelvic floor will help support the lumbar spine.
After losing 22 lbs and keeping it off for two and a half years, I have finally made the connection with the health of my spine and the decrease in stress on the spine when maintaining a lower body weight. My yoga practice is now the only form of “exercise” that I do, as it not only strengthens my body but my mind too. I have developed a keen awareness of myself, and am finally learning to accept and nurture the body that I was given. Yoga has helped me become grateful for my scoliosis, the surgery that I was fortunate enough to have at such a young age, and the realization of how this entire experience has shaped me into the person I am today.
Julie Hyman
Mobile, Alabama
