Written By Aviva Tulasi
Pain is a signal from the nervous system that something is wrong. The uncomfortable sensations that you associate negatively, such as tingling, sharp, or throbbing. For many people chronic pain is an everyday phenomena. The body might not be in danger, but the nervous system keeps sending the pain message. Chronic pain can interrupt daily functioning, including social activities.
Chronic pain is among the most common chronic conditions in the United States. 1 in 5 adults experience chronic pain. Young, et al. reported that 50.2 million adults (20.5%) reported pain on most days or every day in the 2019 edition of National Health Interview Survey. The most common pain locations were back pain and hip, knee, or foot pain. The most commonly used management strategies for chronic pain were physical therapy and massage.
However, many of the beliefs we hold about pain are inaccurate and not helpful. Neil Pearson explains that pain is a subjective output of the brain and often techniques such as suppressing pain don't actually work. Pearson has been suggesting since 2008 that yoga can help change negative pain attitudes and shift a person’s experience with pain. He suggests that a yoga practice rooted in the yamas and niyamas offer techniques to let go of dysfunctional beliefs and experience pain in a different way. Pearson cautions that there isn’t a specific practice that will work for everyone because each person's experience with pain is unique and it is a multifaceted problem. It is a good idea to work with a yoga therapist to create a holistic and individualized approach to yoga practice is an effective strategy for helping people with chronic pain.
Dogwood Studios offers private yoga sessions with a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) to help you find tools to disrupt the pain cycle so you can enjoy the things you love. You can learn more about Yoga Therapy on our website.
Reach out to the Dogwood Team with any quesitions at info@dogwoodstudioyoga.com. We are here to help.
The group yoga classes at Dogwood Studios provide opportunities to explore movements in a community. We have many opportunities for you to practice with us this August.
The next offering of Osteoporosis and Yoga Workshop will be held on August 20th at 1-5 pm. Learn more HERE.
Wednesday’s Mindful Movement and Yoga at 10-11:15am will be offered as a hybrid option. The In Person Option will meet at The Parlour at Manns Chapel. Learn more HERE.
Friday’s Mindful Movement and Yoga at 10-11:15am and the Group Meditation afterwards at 11:25am will be offered as a hybrid option. The In Person Option will meet at The Yoga Shala. Learn more HERE.
Aviva Chaye Tulasi is a team member at Dogwood Studios. She is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT). She applies the teachings of classical yoga to reduce the effects of negative stress and to balance the nervous system. Aviva is available for private sessions. Email Aviva at yogawithtulasi@gmail.com with any questions.
SAM Sather, founder of Dogwood Studios, is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT), individualizes the yoga practice with appropriate modifications for participants’ unique bodies and medical histories with a focus on finding calm and improving health. She offers several live, online and in person yoga classes as well as private sessions so you can focus on your needs one-on-one.