Course Description
Join Back Pain specialist Justine Shelton, C-IAYT, for this 8 hour in-depth workshop on how to keep yourself – and your students – safe in Yoga class. Learn contraindications for common conditions of the low back, as well as the right poses to assist the lower back’s return to healthy function!
Topics Include:
- Lumbar Disc Damage
- Spinal Curve Dsyfunction: Scoliosis, Kyphosis, Lordosis
- Sacroilliac Joint (SI Joint) Dsyfunction
- Sciatic and Piriformis Syndrome
- Osteoarthritis and Spinal Stenosis
- And others
Course Details
Low Back pain is pervasive in our culture and one of the top reasons students come to Yoga. Low back pain can be caused by a myriad of structural issues and/or spinal injuries, so not all Yoga poses are appropriate or therapeutic for everyone. 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point, and many of your students will not have a diagnosis, so it is important to know what questions to ask to make sure they stay safe, avoid further injury and improve their condition by learning healthy movement patterns and strengthening the muscles that support their spine. It is imperative Yoga Teachers and Yoga Students be educated on contraindications for common conditions and the proper bio-mechanics needed to support positive change and avoid harm.
In this online course, Justine discusses the anatomy and physiology of common conditions such as lumbar disc damage, sciatica, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis as well as spinal curve imbalances.
The 200+ page handout includes the goals of a Yoga therapy intervention, contraindications, prescriptive asanas, and anatomical description of the various low back conditions.
Course Outline
| Module 1 | Before You Get Started | |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Foundations Welcome from Justine | |
| Unit 2 | Low Back Foundations - Before You Get Started | |
| Module 2 | Gentle Yoga for the Low Back: Spinal Curves with Justine Shelton | |
| Unit 1 | Video Lecture: Part 1 - The Anatomy of the Spinal Curves | |
| Unit 2 | Video Lecture: Part 2 - Dysfunctions of the Spinal Curves and Corrective Asanas | |
| Unit 3 | Video Lecture: Part 3 - Scoliosis | |
| Module 3 | Yoga Therapy for Sciatica and Piriformis Syndrome with Justine | |
| Unit 1 | Video Lecture: Part 1 - Sciatica/Piriformis Syndrome | |
| Unit 2 | Video Lecture: Part 2 - Sciatica Prescriptive Asanas | |
| Module 4 | Yoga Therapy for the SI Joints with Justine | |
| Unit 1 | Video Lecture: Part 1 - SI Joint Anatomy and Dysfunctions | |
| Unit 2 | Video Lecture: Part 2 - Yoga for the SI Joints Prescriptive Asanas | |
| Unit 3 | Video Lecture: Part 3 - Yes and No Poses for the SI Joints | |
| Module 5 | Yoga Therapy for Lumbar Disc Damage and Other Conditions with Justine | |
| Unit 1 | Video Lecture: Lumbar Disc Damage and Other Spinal Conditions | |
| Module 6 | (1 Hr) Gentle Yoga Therapy Class for the Low Back with Justine Shelton | |
| Unit 1 | Video of 1-Hour Class - Gentle Yoga Therapy for the Low Back | |
| Module 7 | Final Course Quiz | |
| Unit 1 | Foundations Quiz |
Four In-Depth Modules
Foundations of Yoga Therapy for Low Back Care: Spinal Curves
Even though this course covers in-depth issues of the Low Back, it is important to understand how all the curves of the spine contribute to the health of the entire spine. In this video, Justine discusses the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine and related curvature issues and imbalances, including excessive kyphosis and lordosis, flattened curvatures as well as scoliosis. The spinal curves are there for a reason and serve a very important purpose – but too much or too little can cause problems. Yoga Therapy can be used to help keep the curvatures in balance for each person’s best posture.
Foundations of Yoga Therapy for Low Back Care: Sciatica and Piriformis Syndrome
The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in the body and when it gets pinched or impinged the pain can be debilitating. Sciatica is one of the most prevalent causes of low back pain. Whether the origin of the problem is at the level of the lumbar spine or in the pelvis where the nerve often gets compressed at the sciatic notch – the pain is, well, painful! As Yoga teachers, a deeper understanding of the condition of sciatica and its various causes will help us serve our students with awareness and tools for relief. In this video, Justine discusses the various causes and origins of sciatica, contraindications depending on origin and Yoga remedies to provide relief.
Foundations of Yoga Therapy for Low Back Care: Sacroiliac (SI) Joints
Sacroiliac (SI) Joint misalignment creates asymmetry in the body which can be experienced as low back pain, as well as hip, knee and ankle pain from leg length discrepancy that can be caused by SI joint misalignment and muscular compensation. For this condition especially, Yoga can heal or Yoga can harm – it is the proper application of asana that is imperative to avoid putting more sheer stress on the sacrum and SI Joints. Working with this condition requires slow, symmetrical and methodical movements to increase circulation, stabilize the position of the SI Joints and strengthen the musculature around each joint to keep it secure. Justine provides in-depth understanding of what Yoga poses and movements are safe as well as cautionary/contraindicated for this condition.
Yoga Therapy for Lumbar Disc Damage and other Spinal Conditions
Lumbar Disc Damage (LDD) is a broad term that can incorporate bulging discs, herniated discs, Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) and thinning of the discs, among others. It is important to know that sometimes people don’t understand their condition, so it is important that we, as Yoga Teachers and Yoga Therapists, do! In this video Justine discusses Lumbar Disc Damage and how to modify asana for those conditions, as well as covering various conditions you may come across in your students, including: Central and Foraminal Spinal Stenosis, Osteaoarthritis, Spondylolisthesis, Laminectomy surgery, Spinal Fusions and Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Sneak Preview
Foundations for Low Back Care Workshop with Justine Shelton, C-IAYT
Justine will discuss the anatomy and physiology of common conditions such as lumbar disc damage, sciatica, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis as well as spinal curve imbalances.
Receive Full Credit for this Course!
When you Register for the 40 hour Yoga Vista Academy Low Back Care Specialty Teacher Certification Program!
The Gentle Yoga for Low Back Care Specialty Certification Program provides you with the most comprehensive Yoga Training Program for people with low back issues, conditions and injuries.
Ask us for a coupon code to apply your $165 credit when you are ready to sign up for the full Certification Program!
(All major credit cards and PayPal accepted)
Online Gentle Yoga for Low Back Care Specialty Certification Program with Justine Shelton, C-IAYT
This Certification Course is designed to educate and empower you to teach with confidence to students who have low back issues whether they come to your Group Yoga classes, or for private sessions.
Testimonials
Dawn Deratany
San Diego, California | United States
This Low Back Care Foundations Course is the harbor cruise, providing a high level understanding of types of back pain, causes, contraindications and recommended yoga poses and modifications. As a graduate of the Low Back Care Certification Program, I found that it builds on this Foundations Course as it goes into even more detail and prepares the student to create class plans whether 1:1 or teaching groups.
Low Back Certified
Gail Pickens-Barger, Port Neches, Texas, USA
The handouts, the pacing of the material, the videos accompanying the specific modules, then the practice video and the interaction with the course creator was a great way to communicate foundations of yoga for low back challenges. I plan to take more training with the folks at Yoga Vista Academy! Gail Pickens-Barger RYT500.
Gail Pickens-Barger, Port Neches, Texas, USA
As I have challenges with my scoli back and various issues, this foundation for low back yoga workshop helped me tremendously in teaching me how to do the proper yoga poses, how to teach the poses and explained thoroughly the anatomy of the body.
Pat P., Vienna, Virginia, USA
I subbed a beginner class yesterday and when i checked in with everyone – one man told me he couldn’t do very much as he had spinal stenosis. Told him i had just done a workshop with you and i guess i asked him all the right questions. He did everything in the class with no pain. Thank you – sometimes you never know where your ripples lead. He left saying his back felt so much better – Thank you!!!
Evelyn T., San Diego, California, USA
Your handout is well organized, well written and easy to understand. The photos and anatomy charts are very helpful. I appreciate that you included suggested modifications of poses and sample class sequences for our study. Justine, I admired your personal mix of ‘gravitas’ and humor, command of the subject, and skill in giving clear instruction for poses.
Cathy, San Diego, California, USA
I learned many new things and I especially liked the fact I didn’t have to take notes, I could sit and listen! I learn and retain information better by experiencing. The PDF handout is a gem.
Terri R., San Diego, California, USA
Justine’s delivery is so casual and down to earth, I hope to be like that when I teach. I came home right away and shared these concepts and new postures with my husband who has a hereniated disc in the lumber area.
Cheryl W., Vienna, Virginia, USA
I really enjoyed your workshop and I learned a lot. At this time in my yoga teaching life I am very picky who I study with. I want to learn something for my students, learn something for me, and get a good ROI (return on investment) of time and money. You both hit all of these requirements and much more. Also I really appreciated your extensive handouts. Being a former tech head in my past life who had to attend a lot of technical training classes, I really value a comprehensive handout.