Yoga as Therapeutic Exercise. a Practical Guide for Manual Therapists

Description

Yoga as Therapeutic Exercise is a practical guide to prescribing yoga exercises therapeutically for common health problems. The book is aimed at all manual therapists, as well as yoga teachers working with beginners and physically restricted or older students. It describes how to modify yoga postures for a wide range of patients and conditions, integrating relaxation, stretching and strengthening. Written in an accessible style and with a very practical layout, it describes the principles and aims of this exercise approach before providing groups of exercises for specific areas of the body (feet and knees, pelvis, spine, shoulder girdle, neck, arms and hands). Exercises are classified from basic to advanced level and supported by clear illustrative photographs and precise descriptions.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction to Yoga

• A short survey of the history of Yoga
• Yoga and health
• Aims to be achieved by practice and principles underlying the exercise approach
• Research about therapeutic yoga
• What anatomy teaches for the performance of yoga exercises
• Final considerations

Chapter 2 Mindful exercising

• Theories of mindfulness
• Teaching mindfulness and mindful exercising

Chapter 3 Diagnosis

• General considerations about diagnosis and testing
• Tests that particularly refer to our aims and principles
• Exercising and pains
• Contra-indications

Chapter 4 Motivation and cognitive-behavioural intervention strategies

• General considerations
• Practical measures

Chapter 5 Preparatory practice for the yoga art of breathing

• General introduction
• Basic anatomy and physiology of respiration
• Preparation for Pranayama, the yoga art of breathing

Chapter 6 The Basic exercises

• General introduction Basic exercises
• Basic exercises for the lumbar spine
• Basic exercises for the thoracic cage and ribs
• Basic exercises for the thoracic spine
• Basic exercises for the shoulder girdle and the cervico-thoracic junction
• Basic exercises for the cervical spine, head, and temporomandibular joint
• Basic exercises for elbows, wrists and hands
• Basic exercises for the pelvis
• Basic exercises for the hips
• Basic exercises for the knees
• Basic exercises for the feet

Chapter 7 Selected asanas for integrating the aims and principles

• Introduction
• Selected asanas
• Combinations and sequencing of asanas

Chapter 8 Yoga in everyday life

• Introduction
• Selections from basic practice that are suitable to be integrated in many areas and situations
• Specific examples for integrating the spirit and the practice of yoga into everyday life
• Conclusion

Chapter 9 Conclusion

Author Information

By Luise Wörle, BSc(Hons)Osteopathy MA, Head of Schwabing Yoga Centre (YogaZentrum Schwabing), Munich and Erik Pfeiff, DiplPsych, Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist, Manual Therapist; Aikido Coach