This six week program is designed for people with low back pain who wish to return to yoga practice or explore yoga as a method of managing their back pain.  Students will learn basic lumbar spine anatomy, yoga principles and modification of poses for their diagnosis. Classes will consist of development of a yoga routine that includes breathing exercises, stretches, core strengthening, flowing poses and relaxation exercises.  Click here to read more about Evolution PT. 5:45 pm to 7:15 pm on Tuesdays Register today!

“Mechanisms of Specific Trunk Exercises in Low Back Pain”

The purpose of this study is to examine whether or not matching treatment to your specific symptoms is better at decreasing your pain and increasing your function than a non-specific strengthening/conditioning program.

Are you between 21-55 years old and suffer from chronic, low back pain?

You may be eligible to participate in a research study, conducted by the University of Vermont, that includes the following benefits:

- Pre and post-treatment testing sessions at the UVM Human Motion Analysis Lab (includes a free physical therapy evaluation)
- 6 physical therapy treatment sessions with a physical therapist at no charge to you or your health insurance
- $100 total compensation upon completion of study

This study is being conducted by Dr. Sharon M. Henry, Professor and Associate Dean of Research at the University of Vermont, College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

For more information or to sign-up, please call 802-656-1478, or e mail HLBPS@uvm.edu

Sincerely,

Janet Carscadden PT

janet@evolutionvt.com

Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science

Dr. Sharon M. Henry R01 “Mechanisms of Specific Trunk Exercises in Low Back Pain”

Are you between 21-55 years old and suffer from chronic, low back pain?

You may be eligible to participate in a research study, conducted by the University of Vermont, that includes the following benefits:

- Pre and post-treatment testing sessions at the UVM Human Motion Analysis Lab (includes a free physical therapy evaluation)

- 6 physical therapy treatment sessions with a physical therapist at no charge to you or your health insurance

- $100 total compensation upon completion of study

The purpose of this study is to examine whether or not matching treatment to your specific symptoms is better at decreasing your pain and increasing your function than a non-specific strengthening/conditioning program.

This study is being conducted by Dr. Sharon M. Henry, Professor and Associate Dean of Research at the University of Vermont, College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

For more information or to sign-up, please call 802-656-1478, or e mail HLBPS@uvm.edu

Practice of the Month:
Salamba Sarvangasana- Shoulderstand

Feel energy pulling the legs upward as the weight of the pelvis is evenly balanced on the shoulders, head and elbows.  You are balancing in shoulderstand.
Sometimes called “the Queen of all Poses,” shoulderstand rejuvenates the body by supplying fresh, oxygenated blood to the thyroid gland and stimulating the kidneys.  It is a quieting pose – bringing peace and focus to a tired, listless body and mind.

Janet Carscadden, PT, Cert MDT- Evolution PT Corner:

Shoulder stand is one of those poses that people with pain often fear.  Ideally in shoulder stand there is little pressure through your neck.  If you experience neck pain, the thought of bending your neck fully forward can be daunting.  People with recent onset of neck pain from disc injuries or whiplash may do well to avoid full shoulder stand as your neck heals.  However, you can still experience the benefits of inversion with legs up the wall, legs on a chair or supported shoulder stand with your hips elevated on a block or bolster.  Over time you can work out the tension in the back of your neck through seated forward bends of your head with overpressure applied with your hands.  Take it slow and eventually the back of your neck will open up. For those with particularly prominent bones on the back of your neck (spinous processes),  place a folded blanket under the top of your shoulders with your head and neck resting on your mat, then press up into sarvangasana.  Your neck will now be free from compression on the floor.   Ask your teacher to show you this variation in your next class and see how it feels.

Shanti,
Janet

One special weekend each year, the Evolution Yoga teachers retreat is held at the Tao of Health in Ira, Vermont. Tao of Health is owned by Janet Dunn-Davenport, Margaret Dunn-Carver’s mom, who prepares delicious food at the retreat and is a fantastic host. The Tao of Health features enough space for everyone to sleep, a yoga studio, walking labyrinth, and beautiful grounds. The weekend-long length of the retreat expands on the essence of the monthly meetings and deepens the bond of the group. This retreat helps teachers to focus individual intentions as well as and group teaching intentions.

At this years retreat teachers will learn from one another on topics as wide-ranging as chanting and harmonium, core strength and bandhas, meditation, pranayam, postural-assists, kirtan, proper-alignment, anatomy, and more!

Stay tuned to for tid-bits and images from the Evolution Teachers Retreat: April 16, 17,18, 2010 in Ira, Vermont.

Evolution will be open with a staff of wonderful subs during this weekend- deep thanks to those teachers!

They arrived in the final stages of opening their own four year yoga teacher training program in Ubud Bali. My roomate Sua was thrilled to practice with them as she has been practicing Mysore style in Sydney for several years. For those of you unfamiliar with Astanga the style of yoga was developed by Sri Pattabi Jois of Mysore India. His Guru Krisnamacharia passed down a series of postures to him and asked him to develop an asana sequence. The primary or first series was developed as a type of yoga therapy for the body to prepare the physical body for powerful yoga techniques that harness Pranav or energy in the body.

Mysore style practice allows each practitioner to move through the primary series at their own pace while a teacher monitors their progress and provides assistance when neccessary to deepen the practice. Prem described it as a group private yoga session. It’s been a few years since I took an astanga class. Practicing Mysore style means you need to know the entire primary series by heart. Each movement has a corresponding breath, with every breath in the series accounted for. As you work your way through the primary series, movement coupled with breath, maintaining bandhas, ujjiyai and dristi, it becomes a moving meditation. Heat builds in the body as you cultivate prana.

Heather and Prem have a mindful alignment based approach to teaching. Adjustments are given only when they will help you safely deepen your practice. As a physical therapist I was struck by how much attention was given to ensuring students didn’t crank their bodies into poses at the expense of their knees or shoulders. Astanga has gotten a bad name over the years as a style that can create a lot of injuries. Prem and Heather are changing this trend. They are offering a four year teacher training program in Bali where students train with them one month a year.

There’s just a few days left in the training. I’ve found a thatched roof hut on a cliff overlooking a beach where I can relax for a few days before I head home. I ‘ll be sure to send some photos.

Blessings,

Janet

Join the creator of Evolution Physical Therapy & Yoga, Janet Carscadden (PT, Cert MDT, RYT), for a short yoga sequence of movement, postures, and breath. This video will give you a taste of how class with Janet feels and some yoga to try at home.

Discover comfort and tools to heal your back at Janet’s upcoming Healthy Back Workshop: 11/08/09

Re-engage core muscles that have been lost during pregnancy at Belly after Baby Workshop: 10/24/09 with Janet

For full length classes visit us in person at Evolution Physical Therapy & Yoga