Correcting Movement Imbalances with Yoga Therpay

Abstract

Yoga teachers and therapists recognize the need for correct postural alignment. The quality of movement is equally important. When a person moves incorrectly, joints deviate from their centers of rotation. Mechanical stress occurs with repeated incorrect movement and results in degeneration of the joint and eventual pain from repetitive stress. Yoga therapists and teachers influence the movement patterns of their students by their choice of âsanas. By identifying an incorrect pattern of movement,a Yoga therapist can be more specific in the selection of âsanas to alleviate pain and to help students avoid pain in the future. This article offers an introduction to the principles of movement balancing and a classification of movement patterns in the low back to demonstrate the practical application of movement balancing in Yoga therapy.