This past weekend, HeartFelt Yoga was proud to host Shelly Prosko for a very informative workshop. We discussed chronic pain and compassion.
The statistics that she shared were staggering. One in five Canadians live with chronic pain!! As a long time instructor, I know that yoga is now being sought out by people who live with chronic pain more and more regularly. This may mean that the odds are, the number of people in a yoga class who live with pain, will be at a higher percentage than that.
Part of our day was spent understanding the science behind pain. Basically, how the brain responds to pain. If you live with chronic pain you already know this- chronic pain effects everything in life- the way the body moves, the thoughts that the mind creates and what the person feels capable of doing or where they feel they can go. For those who do not live with pain, don’t ever take your ability to move with freedom for granted.
From the science of pain, we then discussed the different aspects of a yoga practice and how to use yoga to positively support those in class who live with pain. This includes the breath, meditation and gentle, supportive movement. As well as how we sequence the class and lead in and out of the postures, so those in pain, feel included and not left behind.
I am proud to say that all of the instructors at HeartFelt Yoga are Chronic Pain Informed. HeartFelt Yoga is a safe place. It is our passion to offer classes where every- body leaves the room feeling a little more comfortable then they did when they walked in.
Come and feel the HeartFelt difference!
Until next time,
Sandra