Muscles of the Spinal Column

Question 1

List five (5) benefits of āsana on the spine and spinal health

Answer 1

• This deep level of built-in support of the spine by cartilage, ligament and bone does not depend on muscular effort. The idea that spinal alignment and relaxation derived from a regular yoga practice makes students feel more energetic and alive can be summed up with this idea: students are releasing unnecessary muscular control over the spine.
• Āsana that can decrease an excessive kyphotic(Hyperkyphosis) curve in the Thoracic involve moving the convexity of the spine posteriorly in āsana such as Ūrdhva Mukha Svanāsana (upward facing dog), Setu Bandha Sarvāṅgāsana (Bridge Pose) and Uṣṭrāsana (camel pose)
• Though yoga postures cannot stop scoliosis alone, it can help in promoting overall health and well-being.
• Greater range of motion
• Better posture
• Better balance and posture

Question 2

How would you support a student who had undiagnosed ‘back’ pain and wanted to join your yoga class?

Answer 2

I’d ask them to stay away from any poses that compress the lumbar such as boat pose, twists for the Thoracic and and shoulder stands for the cervical. And then suggest they have it looked at by a professionsl.

Question 3

Discuss the difference between acute and chronic pain?

Answer 3

Chronic pain has several different meanings in traditional medicine and is usually determined according to the duration of the condition as determined below: -

There are 3 stages of disease:

1. Acute – it indicates good vitality and is characterized by symptoms of heat e.g., fever, skin eruptions usually within the first 21 days.
2. Subacute – suppressed vitality often due to faulty lifestyle. It is characterised by continuous mucus discharges (catarrhal conditions) from 1-6 months durations.
3. Chronic – occurs when the vital force is no longer able to react against the disease such that toxins and pathological changes occur in the tissues and organs. Chronic pain is a condition that lasts more than 6 months. Pg 500

Question 4

What is the relationship between yogic breathing practices and spinal health?

Answer 4

Muscles that originate at the Thoacic Vertabrae insert into the rib cage at the 12th rib such as Quadratus lumborum and Serratus anterior which inserts into the upper nine ribs.

Therefore, many of the Yogic Breathing practices support the movement and stretching of the mid back.

It is also common to observe that students who are new to Āsana find that their TV initially feels tight and restricted. This is mainly due to a compromised misaligned posture during walking, over sitting, and shallow breathing. The Full Yoga Breath increases lung capacity therefore stretching and massaging the muscles of the mid back and increasing correct postural alignment, experienced with time and consistent practice. Most students who complete the Introduction to Yoga – Beginners Course comment on these changes experienced within the spinal column particularly and the increased capacity for deep yogic breathing (Palmer 2010).