Breath-Centered Movement and Manual Therapy
for People with Scoliosis and Spinal Fusion
She had her first scoliosis surgery in 1980, when she was 16, and then a revision surgery with Dr. Oheneba Boachie-Adjeii at H.S.S. in 1995. She also recovered from a debilitating car accident in 1992. She has taught numerous workshops for people with scoliosis and spinal fusion, and most recently was a full-time teacher, trainer and therapist at the Spa at Sea Island, a five star resort near her home on St. Simons Island, GA. She now owns a studio on St. Simons: Island Therapy and Performance (www.islandperform.net) which also serves as a training and support center for people with scoliosis.
Welcome to ScoliYoga!
In 1980, when I was 16, I was given a very difficult choice to make, whether or not to have spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis. I chose to have the surgery because I thought that I would be all fixed, that my problems would be over and done with. How wrong I was about that!
Now as I write this, in 2010, two important things have changed: number one, the surgery has much improved. Second, there are many options available for creating an exercise program that can help you to live well with your chosen treatment. Whether or not you choose to have surgery, you will need an exercise program that is specifically tailored to your unique condition. You will also most likely benefit from massage or other types of manual therapy.
It is my hope that this website can be a resource for you and your family to learn and grow on your journey with scoliosis, and come to live peacefully and joyfully with the disease. I also hope it will inspire and motivate you to be the best you can be, so that you may enjoy great health and personal success in your life.
What is ScoliYoga?
ScoliYoga is a breath-centered, therapeutic technique which is grounded in yoga philosophy but draws from a wide range of somatic and therapeutic exercises, including yoga, Pilates, aqua therapy, traditional physical therapy, Alexander Technique, Chakra Meditation, and Body-Mind Centering.
Through a combination of group class, private instruction, and hands-on myofascial massage treatments, the muscles and bones are gradually brought into better alignment so the patient experiences less physical and emotional pain, and learns how to prevent further wear and tear on the muscles and joint
s.
How does it work?
Each scoliosis patient is different, and there are no magic cure-all recipes for what can be a truly formidable disease. This is a program for the patient who wants to take an active, persistent yet “patient” role in their own healing process. Through regular practice over time, and the right therapists, the muscles of the torso which support the spine are lengthened ,engaged, strengthened and brought into better balance.
In addition, the program places a strong emphasis on improving the mind’s proprioception (perception of body position in space and gravity), which further strengthens and helps maintain extension and balance throughout the spine and whole body.
Finally, Yoga is both a physical and spiritual practice, offering a way of living with scoliosis that makes it seem more like a dance and less like a disease. Through the yogic framework of the Chakra system, we view and treat the whole person, not just the spine and muscles. The emotional, intellectual and spiritual dimensions of the person will also improve as the patient becomes more at home in their physical body. Most patients and families notice improved self-esteem and mental focus, happier relationships, as well as a stronger and more comfortable body.
