I've just encountered the stiffest student EVER! It hurts him just to slightly tilt his head forward. I'm teaching him privately for an hour, daily
and could really use some suggestions for variations and modifications for our classes. He's a really driven city type and it's taken our whole first
class just to get him to unclench his jaw and allow a whisper of breath in......
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Stiffest student ever....help!
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 yoleus.yoga84291 |
Stiffest student ever....help! |
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Posts: 1 (08/27/08 12:32:08) |
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simpleyogini |
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Posts: 4385 (08/27/08 13:01:25) |
from my experience....it will just take time....
take it slowly and this person will naturally build more flexibility....and of course we are all different....so it could take a longer time or it might be quick for them I would definitely start my time with this person reclining (restorative poses with maybe bolsters, and use of an eyebag) and quite a bit of time with some deep breathing....even if it took most of the class or all of the class....hey that is fine....there is nothing set in stone that it has to be a certain way....every...body is different.... if he is really uptight....maybe more restorative type poses would be helpful....sounds like he needs it.... and of course you can also preform many helpful poses in a chair....and build on from there... again....no need to hurry into anything...I would take it slowly....and use alot of breath work..... how are you with "hands on" or touching people....maybe you can get him to close his eyes and you could give him a shoulder or head massage.....we were taught that in our TT....and many do that in savansana.....helps to get people more relaxed good luck....i know there will be others that will give some wonderful ideas here....  sandy
We do not need to be the same, or think the same But we can hold hands as fellow travelers in this life. |
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kgs63 |
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Posts: 86 (08/27/08 13:44:56) |
Wow -- wonder what he's holding onto? I agree, slow is imperative! Especially when there might be some emotional stuff to surface. But daily is great --
consistency will show great benefits, I think.
I am a BIG fan of hot baths with Epsom salts -- if he can allow himself to take the time for one. Karen S. |
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spangled |
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Posts: 2210 (08/28/08 05:04:11) Barkeep |
The first Pawanmuktasana series can be very helpful. Its deceptively simple and accessible to anyone in a "do what you can" way. And as already said
- breathing.
http://www.yogamag.net/ar...997/ajan97/pawanmuk.shtml http://www.healthandyoga....awanmuktasana1.asp#asanas
Last Edited By: spangled
08/28/08 05:08:01.
Edited 1 times.
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vv1234 |
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Posts: 6483 (08/29/08 18:03:41) |
Is it just me and my juvenile sense of humor that I laugh every time I see this "Re: Stiffest stud.."on the main page?
btw, I once had a student (male) that could not relax his muscles. It was like he was perm contracture. He could not sit on the floor without his knees level with his chin and his back rounded. I ended up putting him in a chair and having him just breathe. That was 3 years ago. I saw him recently and he's still about as contracted as ever but he's still doing yoga weekly. |
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Sri D |
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Posts: 9636 (08/30/08 03:44:47) Moderator |
Nah....I have the same puerile sense of humor, and was right there with you, Veave!
 
I have a student like that too. He's always in class..... and looking as rigid as ever. Even in savasana....chin tilted way up to the ceiling, hands in fists, back arched.... 
Reminds me of a 2-day old armadillo roadkill on the side of a road. We're talking STIFF! 
But hey! At least he's there...and I'm hoping that maybe all the softening is going on inside and just hasn't found the right vent to the outside yet. 
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 ma data |
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Posts: 3021 (08/30/08 10:03:57) |
I cant stop laughing! You guys are too funny!
RE:Stiff Stud 
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purnayoga |
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Posts: 285 (08/30/08 15:36:48) |
The series we use for stiff students is nearly identical to the one used for elderly students. Almost all of the series is from a supine position, save for the
last two or three which are at the wall with the bar in the Wall Rope system.
While not Feldenkrais in nature the series does embrace a similar concept relative to awareness through movement. Aadil has taught this to us and I have since used it in my own practice when recovering from a particularly nasty back issue. I suppose then you'll have to come take the therapeutics workshop with us one day:-) ========================== The spoken word is your master, the unspoken word your slave.
Last Edited By: purnayoga
08/30/08 15:39:01.
Edited 1 times.
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vv1234 |
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Posts: 6486 (08/30/08 20:19:23) |
Girls, I am sooo glad the two of you are laughing along with me, mirth is purely living and I love a good chuckle.
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Rambling Yogini |
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Posts: 1497 (08/31/08 04:08:35) |
I had a question relating to stiffness but for some reason it's completely crumbled into laughter
I'll be back later when I've reformulated it!
Suzi PS When I saw this thread on the main MIS page it read: Stiffest stud....VV1234 Ah... I guess after I've posted this my aka will appear instead
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yoleus.yoga84291 |
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Posts: 2 (08/31/08 09:34:34) |
Oh hilarious - I hadn't noticed that! And to think i edited out "and I've seen some stiffies in my time" from my first draft!
Seriously though, thanks for the suggestions; Pawanmuktasana, restorative and breathing was pretty much the way I was heading, it's just that he's so impatient and unfocused (asking when we'll be "done with the wrist twiddling and get down to some yoga"!) that I'm needing to bolster my resources! 
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simpleyogini |
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Posts: 4395 (08/31/08 14:42:29) |
unfortunately that is something that us americans have a time with....lots of us want "instant gratification"
its all yoga! i just got this recently from yogaville.....just passing it on....might fit...or not All That You Do is Yoga "Yoga means perfection in action. When you do something, do it with one hundred percent of the mind. Don't do it half way. Whatever you do, do it with full concentration. That is Yoga. It's not that you are just going into a corner, sitting with the spine erect and then doing some japa or some breathing and that is Yoga. My Yoga is everything. All that you do is Yoga. When you start doing something, do only that- one hundred percent that. 'Yogaha karmasu kaushalam,' the Bhagavad Gita says. That means perfection in your every action is Yoga. "God bless you. Om Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi." Swami Satchidananda sandy
We do not need to be the same, or think the same But we can hold hands as fellow travelers in this life. |
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ma data |
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Posts: 3022 (08/31/08 17:32:48) |
Sandy,
that is beautiful! Ma
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Rambling Yogini |
Stiff lower back | ||
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Posts: 1540 (09/05/08 01:50:55) |
I'd forgotten all about posting a question here until this morning...
It's about a student of mine who is also a friend so I have had a chance to observe her posture away from the class. She is tall, slender and I first noticed the way she stood: her tail bone is very 'tucked in' which produces the appearance of a slight kyphosis although her head doesn't jut forward... In class, it's impossible for her to maintain her back straight without bending knees in seated postures; if she places her legs flat on the floor the top of the back becomes rounded, tail bone tucked in. She doesn't complain of any pain although she has said that when she gets stressed her back goes into spasms. So... the question: is this going to be something that will correct itself with continued practice? Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated! TIA
Suzi |
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Rambling Yogini |
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Posts: 1541 (09/05/08 01:58:28) |
Ok, I just did a little research and came up with 'sway back posture' which seems to fit the stance I was trying to describe above:
http://www.geocities.com/...nce/graphics/postures.jpg The third image is exactly what my friend/student looks like from the side. xoxo Suzi |
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purnayoga |
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Posts: 286 (09/05/08 22:08:45) |
Hello Suzi.
Thank you for the link. A short answer, which I am not historically good at offering, is "anything is possible". That having been said... In my experience a general asana practice (exclusively) would not facilitate the structural realignment needed in such a student's body. A general asana practice may feel good, relieve stress, and relax the student and that supports well-being of course. Instead I would approach such an issue on three fronts: asana/pranayama, emotions, and nutrition/lifestyle. The asana practice would be tailored to mobilize and stabilize in order to facilitate movement toward a neutral spine (as the spine is never straight). A certain form of meditation would address the emotions behind the structural dysfunction, and the shifts in diet would feed the body what it needs to optimize the realignment process. ========================== The spoken word is your master, the unspoken word your slave. |
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jeannettel |
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Posts: 304 (09/06/08 02:10:17) |
Hi Purnayoga
In your post you said, " A certain form of meditation would address the emotions behind the structural dysfunction, " Could you expand on this please? I am interested because I have a chronic pelvic instability which is currently showing up in pain and immobility of the SI-Joint. There is also inflammation and trapped pain sensitve tissue. Once this has settled I have been thinking to look at ways to stabilize the pelvis. Any advice on this would be most welcome Jeannette |
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Rambling Yogini |
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Posts: 1557 (09/06/08 05:44:49) |
"In my experience a general asana practice (exclusively) would not facilitate the structural realignment needed in such a student's body"
Thank you - that is what I was suspecting. I'll do some further research and see which way would be the best to guide her towards balance. In class, I think guiding her to sit as straight as possible even if it means legs are bent would help to internalize and correct a seated posture... time will tell!
Suzi |
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purnayoga |
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Posts: 287 (09/06/08 21:59:52) |
In your post you said, " A certain form of meditation would address the emotions behind the structural dysfunction, " Could you expand on this please? The meditation I was referencing is one that brings divinity into matter, or put another way, brings light into the body. This differs quite a bit from a Samdhi-based meditation where the ideal is to reach a bliss state but not necessarily bring the higher consciousness down into the body to change that which needs changing (the global consciousness). This is referred to as Transformative Spirituality and the meditation is active rather than passive. It is based primarily on the works of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. You can read a brief bit about it here under Mirra's bio. |
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jeannettel |
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Posts: 305 (09/08/08 00:17:41) |
Thank you
I read in Mirra's bio that she has written two meditation books. I am hoping to go to a six day intensive by Aadil Pralkivala in London in November, so hopefully I will learn about Transformative Sprituality.. |
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Rambling Yogini |
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Posts: 1565 (09/08/08 05:12:34) |
I've been reading around, looking for books, etc and eventually found the following blog which gives an overview not only on sway back posture but others
also. I've now got a clearer idea of what is happening and which way to take my friend/student's yoga practice:
http://posture-exercises....ber-4-of-4-sway-back.html Still looking into other ways to help or point her in the right direction at least.
Suzi |
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- Questions on using this board
- Introductions -- Why You Came to Yoga
- 2009 Live Gathering
- 2007 Live Gathering
- Questions for Erich
- Asana
- Amazing asana sequences
- Health and Yoga
- Breath of Life
- Meditation
- Remembering to Ask for Guidance
- Energy
- Classical Texts (Sutras, Gita, etc.)
- Yamas and Niyamas
- The Business of Yoga
- Teaching Questions
- Video, book, and audio recomendations
- Workshops and Training Opportunities
- MIS Goods & Services Exchange
- Technology
- Yoga Poetry
- Martial Arts, Gymnastics, Hypnosis, Contortionism, Body Building, & Other Related Disciplines
- Everyday Sacred
- Food & Recipes
- The Environment
- Socrates Bar and Grill
