you asked

I was involved in a car accident about 16 months ago, and am now in the long process of healing. The worst of my injuries is a nagging upper back and shoulder injury. Physical therapy and medication has only taken me so far and I wanted a more natural approach, so my doctor suggested yoga as a great way to stretch out those sore muscles and heal. Are there any particular restorative poses you can recommend for the upper back and shoulders?

Thanks so much!
Jenn

kate answers

Hi Jenn.

I love your enthusiasm and your commitment to the healing process. Here are three beautiful, restorative pose that will help in the upper back and shoulders. Enjoy and learn from your healing process.

supported matseyasana (supported fish pose)

This pose opens the chest and extends the thoracic spine (which begins at the bump at the back of your neck). It’s intended to bring muscles back to their natural position and in time, tone, which is great for your recovery.

1. Grab two towels or blankets.
2. Roll them up, making one thicker than the other.
3. Lie flat on your back and place the smaller of the two towels underneath the bra-strap line.
4. Extend your legs and let the feet fall out naturally.

5. Place the thicker rolled-up towel under your head but be careful not to overextend the neck by lifting the chin too high or dropping it too low.
6. Now for blissing out: rest each arm at about a 45-degree angle away from hips and place palms up, allowing your shoulders to drop open. 


Simply breathe and relax. Let that be your mantra! “Breathe, relax.”

salamba balasana (supported child's pose)

1. Place blocks (or books) underneath the two ends of a bolster and come into Child's Pose, with your torso supported by the bolster.
2. Slide your arms underneath the gap between the bolster and the floor, sliding each hand toward the opposite elbow.

If the forearms or elbows don't touch the ground, fill in the space with towels or blankets so that you are supported from the elbows to the fingers. Magic.

garudasna (eagle) - arm variation only

A good one to do when sitting at a desk or in a chair when you have free time.

1. Sit tall in your seat, stretching your arms forward so that they are parallel to the floor and then spread your shoulder blades wide across the back of your torso.
2. Cross the arms in front so that the right arm is above the left, then bend your elbows.
3. Snug the right elbow into the crook of the left, and raise the forearms perpendicular to the floor. The backs of your hands should be facing each other - or as close to as possible.
4. Now draw the elbows away and up in front of the face and at the same time draw the shoulder blades down the back so as not to hunch or create more tension in this area.
5. Close the eyes and breathe into the space between the shoulder blades.

Stay for ten breaths and then swap arms.

So Jenn - enjoy, bliss out and I wish you a healthy recovery.

Kate

more about kate

lululemon Bondi ambassador and yoga teacher, Kate teaches vinyasa style yoga and emphasizes the connection between breath and movement, infusing a natural blend of fun, light heartedness and strength into her sequencing, always encouraging her students to be mindful in their practice and nurture themselves.

Kate’s big, hairy audacious goal (BHAG) is to create the world’s most viewed wellness blog; a rich source for knowledge and inspiration – helpful tools for living more conscious and happy lives.

Her favourite lululemon manifesto quote: Creativity is maximized when you’re living in the moment.

Visit Kate's website at www.thenectar.com.au

you asked

My mom is very spiritual and loved yoga. This year she was diagnosed with colon cancer and had to undergo emergency surgery. She currently has a colostomy bag attached to her, and always complains how she would like to do gentle meditation and yoga, but can't twist or do many of the poses. I was wondering if you could recommend any dvds that my mom could do at home that were more about breath and breathing vs poses. She has to stay at home a lot so I thought this would help her have some positivity in her life. Thanks! - Tara

a yogi answers

Hi Tara,

Thank you for your email. There are many ways to support your mom with her yoga practice during this transition in her life. One of the blessings that yoga offers is that there truly is a practice for each and everyone of us no matter where we are at. Asana, posture practice, comprises about 5% of what the teachings of yoga have to offer. The true benefit of yoga lies in the deeper practices of pranayama (breathing) and meditation.

Pranayama practice is a powerful emotional support for body, mind, and more importantly the energetic connection to life (spirit). Breathing is the sutra (thread) that connects life into our cells. Healing occurs on a cellular level and their is nothing more revitalizing to our cells than plenty of conscious breathing. Meditation being a higher form of practice helps to calm the mind of mental chatter and channels that focus and energy into healing and courage to live from a place of possibility and acceptance.

There are many forms of yoga practice that are less movement based and more energetic and breathing based. A favourite of mine is kundalini yoga. If you can get past the traditional dress and a bit of sanskrit there is a whole other domain of bliss and spiritual practice on offer.

There are many videos available and because kundalini yoga is a formulaic practice, which means it's consistent in its teachings, you could choose any video and benefit greatly. Each teacher is schooled in understanding the energetic benefit of the kriya, which is like a posture but a breathing posture with a specific mental focus. Gormukh Kaur Khalsa, a popular Kundalini teacher, has many videos available in book stores and on Amazon. The secret to benefiting from any practice is consistency. A little bit of breathing and meditation in the morning and evening is much more effective than doing a lot once a week.

Kind regards,
Claire, lululemon Burlington ambassador

a bit about claire

Claire has always been in awe of the incredible regenerative and healing powers that the human body possesses. She has seen this first hand with her 20 years experience as a critical care/emergency nurse in dramatic situations as well as her own personal experience of serious back issues that she had to deal with at one point in her life. It was the powerful physical aspects of her vinyasa practice that firstly connected her to the power of yoga. She has come to understand that this was just the tip of the iceberg. She teaches from a place of delivering an intelligent, rigorous, and kind physical practice that accesses the vast terrain of our mental and emotional domains that in turn allows us to come to terms with who we are as human beings. Claire is Certified Baptiste Master Teacher with degrees in Anatomy and Physiology, Kinesiology, and committed study in Ayurveda she facilitates Teacher and Assistant trainings, as well as life transformation programs in the US and abroad.

what is ask a yogi?

Ask a Yogi is a yoga advice column. If you have a yoga question for a lululemon yoga ambassador, please email askanexpert@lululemon.com.

you asked

I was in a car accident 2 years ago and have taken a couple of Pilates classes to try and help heal my body. I am wondering though if yoga would be a better choice for me and to help me overcome the whiplash I suffered? I also suffer from a stress related illness (IBS) and wonder if Yoga would help that too? I am interested in Bikram but afraid it might be too intense to begin with. Please let me know what the best route would be for me to take so I can get back to being a healthy me! - Brittany

a yogi answers

Dear Brittany,

I would definitely begin a yoga practice, and would certainly avoid Bikram, which can be a bit intense as you begin. I would probably recommend that you begin a practice outside of a hot room, particularly if you are looking to heal your body. So try to find a more neutral environment. If you haven’t practiced for very long, and are beginning to explore you may also benefit a lot from a more restorative practice. Pilates classes will also be great for your body, but the breath work in yoga will bring you the most benefit in handling stress or a stress-related illness – you will take great leaps!

- Grace, lululemon Queen St. ambassador

what is ask a yogi?

Ask a Yogi is a yoga advice column that is published on Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays. If you have a yoga question for future yoga panels, please email askanexpert@lululemon.com.