Yoga for Sciatica Class
Begins Sunday, April 19th
12:00-2:00 PM
This class is appropriate for ANY level of student and
no prior yoga experience is required.
This class is tailored to meet the needs your individual condition. There will be a group component to the class as well as continuing education and a sharing of experience. But primary component of the class to be individually guided work in which each student works with guidance from the teacher and an assistant teacher. Through awareness and experimentation and practice in class we will work to evolve a daily routine that moves you closer to healing your condition. Your progress over time will be tracked in a file.
This is a 2 hour class (yoga classes are generally an hour and a half) and since this is effectively be a semi-private class, rates are slightly different from a regular yoga class. Regular individual yoga classes generally cost $18.00 with a package of classes running $14.00 per class.
Yoga for Sciatica classes cost $20.00 for a single class and $68.00 for a package of four classes ($17.00 per class).
Please email me at steven@pranayoga-la.com you are interested in joining the class and please indicate your preferred times in order of preference.
The location of the class will be Yoga Groove in Burbank.
Purchase your class in advance
Private Appointments Available
Contact Steven Vincent to set up a private consultation or appointment.
To learn more, read my article published in LA Yoga Magazine here:
http://yoga-losangeles.com/yogaforsciatica.html
As a yoga teacher I have found that sciatica may be the most common health problem driving people to practice yoga. The word is out--yoga cures sciatica!
Having recovered from two bouts of sciatic pain primarily using yoga asana, I can testify that it does work, but you must be consistent, persistent and do all the other right things when you are off the mat.
Having also recently worked with many students and clients suffering from this condition, I have observed that different individuals may experience the discomfort of sciatica distinctly and respond in substantially different ways to the same yoga posture. Each individual’s unique pattern of holding in the body seems to shape the character of their experience of sciatic nerve pain. While some general rules of thumb exist, working through sciatica is a tricky, dynamic process requiring diagnosis, patience, some experimentation and deep mindfulness of body.
The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest single nerve in the human body, about as big around as a thumb at its largest point. The nerve originates in the lower spine where nerve roots exit the spinal cord and it extends all the way down the back of the leg to the toes.
Sciatica occurs when a nerve root in the lower spine is pinched or irritated. Usually, sciatica only affects one side of the lower body and the pain will often radiate from the lower back all the way through the back of the thigh and down through the leg. Often a particular event or injury does not cause sciatica, but rather sciatic pain  may develop as a result of general wear and tear on the structures of the lower spine.
Any condition that causes irritation or impingement on the sciatic nerve can cause the pain associated with sciatica. It is most commonly caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve from a herniated disc (also referred to as a ruptured disc, pinched nerve or slipped disk) in the lumbar spine. Other common causes of sciatica include lumbar spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, isthmic spondylolisthesis, sacroiliac joint dysfunction and piriformis syndrome. Each specific condition producing symptoms may warrant a distinct approach to asana practice.
Recommended Immediate Actions:
- Get a Diagnosis. Western allopathic medicine is really good at one thing: diagnosis. Get an MRI or other tests to find out which of the sciatic pain-inducing conditions is creating your discomfort. Then we can design your practice accordingly.
- Reduce Inflammation. That nerve is excited, inflamed and irritated. Ice the low back and buttock for two minutes at a time about six times a day. Alternate heat with ice application, but heat the whole body in a hot tub or sauna, not just the affected area, to avoid accentuating the inflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) or their ayurvedic herbal equivalents such as tumeric, boswellia, pirant oil and guggul, and omega-3 essential fatty acids will also help reduce the inflammation.
- Don't. Especially if you've been diagnosed with a herniated disc, avoid prolonged sitting. When you do sit always use a lumbar support. In most cases extensive walking is also counterindicated.
