Yoga improves flexibility and brings a sense of calm. A lot of people find that the deep stretches involved in yoga are really relaxing and help ease pain and tension. Yet, what happens when you have old injuries and traumas to your body that might make yoga unpleasant? Actually, you can still do yoga! You have to talk about these traumas and old injuries with your yoga instructor, who can alter some of the positions in the class to help you feel good but not cause you more pain. You can also join a trauma-sensitive yoga class. Here is what that kind of class looks like. 

A Yoga Instructor Who Knows

Most of these trauma-sensitive yoga classes are taught by yoga instructors who have some old physical trauma themselves. They may not be able to do the cat pose because they have a fused spine, or maybe they cannot do the cobra because they tore the rotator cuffs in their shoulders a few years ago. Whatever trauma the instructor has, he/she already knows what it is like to not be able to fully participate in something you want to try or something you want to do. Ergo, by quietly allowing the instructor to know what your physical limitations are, he/she can modify the positions that will do more harm than good for you. 

Dozens of Modified Positions for Yoga

Yoga positions were originally modified to accommodate the elderly and those with special needs who might not be able to fully extend themselves into the traditional yoga positions. It slowly evolved into dozens of modified positions for persons with physical traumas from past accidents. Now, anyone can do yoga because there are several different ways you can approach each position and feel good about performing the modified version of it. Plus, you still get the benefits of yoga!

Everyone in Class Has a Similar Problem

Everyone in this special yoga class with you has a similar problem. They cannot do all of the traditional positions of yoga either, and that is okay. The instructor can modify the positions for each person in class so that everyone can perform at the optimum level without feeling out of place with the rest of the class. You might even meet a few new people with conditions very similar to your own, which helps formulate some bonds within the class that can help you, too.