Anonymous
Hi Gabrielle,
Great suggestions from Joy.
For general topics, I would add The Mayo Clinic website (www.mayoclinic.org). I’ve also used http://www.yogabasics.com for a variety of basic info from asana to philosophy. And http://www.swamij.com has some great (more traditional) info on yoga history & philosophy.
When it comes to specifics on a particular client (e.g. adjustments), though, don’t hesitate to ask the client’s doctor/ physio/ health professional or – of course! – the client.
I don’t have any special therapeutic training, but I work one-on-one with a few clients carrying fairly serious injuries or chronic conditions. The most successful approach for me so far has been to admit that they know a lot more about their condition than I do, to try something small & simple, and ask them how it feels – together we can decide whether we progress further in that direction or more away from it. Don’t underestimate the power of getting client’s involved in their own healing process!
I hope this helps a little.
Rachel 🙂
Anonymous
I have a fairly new private client, and need inspiration!
She’s very fit, uninjured and in great functional shape. A little tight in traps, piriformis & QL but very symmetrical left to right side. We do a gentle one hour stretch session twice a week, no physical work (she does that in other forms of training), no meditation or pranayama.
Thing is – she’s 8 months pregnant… So no big adjustments, no deep stretches, can’t be on her back for too long, can’t lie belly down, no asymmetrical poses for the pelvis…
I feel like I’ve done everything already and I’m running out of ideas! Suggestions anyone?
Anonymous
I agree completely. Sometimes I explain, give verbal and physical adjustments, and demonstrate “right” and “wrong” versions, until I’m blue in the face but the student doesn’t get it until they see themselves in the pose. A picture really is worth a thousand words.
It’s a great place to start with a private client you plan to see regularly, because, as you said, it creates an opportunity to see and celebrate progress.
I have also photographed and/ or videoed a group class student after class if there’s something they are struggling to understand in their own bodies. A couple of minutes could be enough to spark real change, or (at bare minimum) get them interested in a private session to work on the pose further.
Anonymous
Love the videos – keep them coming please! The most useful to me so far has been the sun salutation breakdown with the dowel stick mirroring a neutral spine. I’d love another that breaks down the entire sun salutation sequence in more detail eg from the perspective of shoulder placement, actions used in hands & feet. You could fill several classes with that content alone. I also agree with Joy – I’d love videos on ROM tests to make sure I don’t forget anything. And I agree with Cathy too I’d love some ideas of assists and adjustments. Thanks for asking 🙂
Anonymous
After the Hip module in Bali, I went home overflowing with information and no idea how to use it outside of a private yoga context. I worried that students in group classes wouldn’t be interested in the subtle exploration of strength, flexibility and asymmetry.
So I ran a workshop themed on individual hip anatomy. I took students through passive & active ROM assessments in pairs, then through an introspective flow that helped them apply what they’d just leaned about their own anatomy. At points through the class, students selected poses based on whether they needed strength or a stretch, and on whether they needed to work both left and right hips or one side only.
And it turned out I had underestimated how keen my students were to learn about themselves – the workshop was really well received.
Since finishing the Spine module in Napa, I’ve started planning a posture workshop, where students will help each other identify their postural habits, and use a stick behind the spine as we did to help them establish what adjustments they need to make to find their neutral spine.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has enjoyed sharing what I learned, not just with private clients but in a group setting. So if you have other ideas that have worked for you, feel free to share them!
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