Yoga and Scoliosis - Growing Back To Center

Scoliosis is abnormal curvature of the spine, it occurs very slowly so is not noticeable until it becomes more severe. Possible causes of changes in the spine are arthritis known as spondylosis, weakening of the ligaments of the spine, osteoporosis, vertebral fractures, and disc injuries.

Scoliosis is not caused by improper posture, prolong sitting, carrying heavy shoulder bag. Those factors certainly make negative impact on health of the spine, but they are not the cause. According to National Health Service 80% of scoliosis is idiopathic - unknown cause.

To me personally and as a yoga teacher this particular illness is quite interesting - as a child and later as an young adult I was diagnosed with Scoliosis. I still have very large rib cage, when I was a child my always optimistic parents would say I have protruding "runner's chest" and athletic suck in abdominals. They wanted me to go to ballet-school, they would always find something beautiful about me.

The objective of yoga is to lengthen the spine and help to move back toward the center. This guided practice includes yoga asanas for strengthening the back and shoulders, torso muscles, abdominal muscles and hip flexors.
Here are some asanas that should be practiced daily.

1. Padangusthasana
2. Vrikshasana
3. Trikonasana
4. Parsvattanasana
5. Parsvokonasana
6. Virabadhrasana
7. Adho Mukha Svanasana
8. Anjaneyasana
9. Marjarasana
10. Anahatasana
11. Paschimottanasana
12. Janu Sirsasana
13. Bujangasana
14. Supta Padangusthasana
15. Jathara Parivrittasana
16. Halasana
17. Setu Bandhasana
18. Salamba Sarvangasana
19. Savasana
20. Lotus meditation