The Yoga Circle

Yoga as Therapy: What physical therapists should know and use from the ancient practice of yoga.

 presented by Rebecca Impello, Approved for 10CEU’s by AL PT Board

Course Description - Yoga is an ancient system that has recently become mainstream in the West.  Whether for exercise, relaxation or holistic healing almost all of our physical therapy patients lately have either tried yoga or are curious about it.  Some of them have even been injured by a yoga pose that was inappropriate for them. Many of them turn to PT’s with questions about starting yoga: what style, what teacher, what about a yoga therapist?  This course will educate PT’s on how to answer these questions as well as explore the fundamental principles of yogic breathing and awareness that will enhance any exercise program and promote wellness.  We will also spend a significant portion of the course on yoga postures, reviewing those common in popular yoga classes, outlining contraindicated poses for certain conditions, and exploring the therapeutic effects of specific poses for common PT diagnoses.  While this course does not aim to create yoga teachers, participants will have a solid understanding of yoga to help guide patients toward the appropriate practice, teacher or yoga therapist and several simple, effective breathing techniques and physical exercises that will augment their current clinical treatments. 

Objectives - participants in the course will have an understanding of the following areas. 

Different styles of hatha (physical) yoga commonly practiced in the west and the holistic lifestyle practice of yoga that is at the heart of yoga’s roots.

Scientific evidence of yoga’s positive effect on nearly all of the human body’s physiological systems and overall health and wellness. 

The emerging field of yoga therapy, including the education and qualifications of yoga therapists and how yoga therapy can complement physical therapy.

Basic breath control and awareness and coordination of breath with movement.

Poses for specific musculoskeletal diagnoses - low back pain, neck pain, shoulder dysfunction, hip dysfunction, sacroiliac pain, scoliosis, and osteoporosis.

Advising patients on poses or practices to avoid or modify in general yoga classes.

About the Presenter - Rebecca Impello received an MS in physical therapy from UAB and has been practicing in outpatient rehab, inpatient rehab and orthopedic outpatient settings for the past ten years.  Becca began practicing yoga while in college and began teaching shortly after beginning her professional career.  As a fitness and yoga instructor in gyms and studios for over 15 years Becca is familiar with the types of yoga classes available in the community.  She is certified as a yoga teacher through YogaFit and has attended numerous additional yoga trainings with both local teachers and internationally known yoga therapists, most recently a conference on the healing power of yoga.  She has conducted workshops for physical therapists and yoga teachers on low back issues and anatomy.  The practice of physical therapy and knowledge of yoga have progressively merged so that Becca’s treatment of patients almost always includes elements of yoga.  She has seen patients benefit enormously from simple yoga techniques and from consistent yoga practice.  She feels that an expanded understanding of yoga and how it heals is essential for all health care professionals.

Course Schedule - 45-60 min of required reading to be issued prior to course

Friday April 9th  5:30-7:00pm - Introduction to styles of yoga and a typical class for initial exploration of breath, self-awareness and physical postures.

Saturday April 10th 8:00am-12:00pm - Evidence of yoga’s effect on disease and health. Yoga Therapy and training of yoga therapists   Poses and breath work for low back, hips and SI  including contraindications and modifications.

Course location - McMinn Clinic Studio in Homewood Plaza, 3125 Independence Drive, Suite 108, Homewood, AL 35209

Course cost - $175 made payable to Rebecca Impello. Number of participants is limited.

Mail registration information below and course fee to Rebecca Impello, 329 Killough Circle, Birmingham, AL 35215.

Please contact Becca at 205.568-6040 or jimpello@bham.rr.com  with any questions.  Registration info can be sent via email, however, course fee must be received to reserve space in the course.  A small packet of required reading material will be sent about 10 days prior to course.  Wear layered clothes for movement and bring a yoga mat.

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Yoga as Therapy Course - April 9th and 10th 2010

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