Adapting Yoga for Veterans with Brain Injury Amy Moran, MA, RYT
Casey Linstad, CTRS Rose Collins, PhD, LP Minneapolis VA Health
Care System April 28, 2011 Slide 2 Objectives 1.Introduce the
concept of Adaptive Yoga. 2.Experience how Adaptive Yoga feels.
3.Broaden your vision of what Yoga can look like. Slide 3 Outline
Yoga Yoga Yoga Research & Brain Injury Yoga Research &
Brain Injury Adaptive Yoga Program Adaptive Yoga Program Veteran
Yogis Veteran Yogis Program Evaluation Program Evaluation Looking
to the Future Looking to the Future Slide 4 Instructors Amy Moran,
MA, RYT Registered Yoga Teacher Hot Yoga, Bikram-style, Hatha Casey
Linstad, CTRS Recreational Therapist Kundalini Yoga Sue Benson, CYT
Certified Yoga Teacher Iyengar Yoga Slide 5 Slide 6 Yoga Slide 7
Definition physical postures [asana], breathing techniques
[pranayama], and meditation [dhyana] or relaxationusepart of a
general health regimen, and also for a variety of health
conditions. (www.nccam.nih.gov) Slide 8 Gates, 2002 Slide 9 Brain
Injury Sequelae & Yoga Research 8 LimbsYoga ResearchBrain
Injury Sequelae 1.Postures/Asana 2.Breathing/Pranayama
3.Sensation/Pratyahara 4.Concentration/Dharana 5.Meditation/Dhyana
6.Oneness/Samadhi 7.Restraints/Yamas 8.Observances/Niyamas Anxiety
disorders Cancer/coping Cardiovascular disease Chronic disease risk
factors Depressive disorders Fibromyalgia Multiple sclerosis
Muskuloskeletal conditions Pain/lower back pain Posttraumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) Quality of life (QOL) Respiratory illness
Sleep disturbance Stress Stroke rehabilitation Increased GABA
levels in brain (lower levels associated with variety mental health
conditions) Abstract reasoning Affect regulation Anxiety Attention
Awareness Concentration Depression Executive functioning
Impulsivity Insight Irritability Learning Memory Pain complaints
Planning QOL Problem-solving PTSD Sleep disturbance Social
pragmatics Slide 10 Defense Centers of Excellence Slide 11 Adaptive
Yoga Program Slide 12 History MVAHCS MVAHCS Polytrauma/TBI Nathan
Newhall Nathan Newhall Corepower Yoga Matthew Sanford Matthew
Sanford Mind-Body Solutions Slide 13 Adaptive Yoga All yoga is
adaptive All yoga is adaptive Adapting yoga for a variety of
physical and mental health conditions. Adapting yoga for a variety
of physical and mental health conditions. Making yoga accessible on
many different levels. Making yoga accessible on many different
levels. Demystifying yoga Demystifying yoga Dispelling
myths/stereotypes What does class look like? What does class look
like? Slide 14 Structure of ClassWelcome/introductions What is
yoga? How to approach practice? Check-In (1-10) Options for
practice Guidelines for practicePractice Breathing/movement
Relaxation Check-Out (1-10) Check-Out #2 Describe practice (one
word)Namaste Slide 15 Adaptive Yoga Warm-Up Slide 16 Slide 17
Veteran Yogis DEMOGRAPHICDESCRIPTION AGE RANGE21-90 GENDERGreater
numbers men, lower numbers women, both represented ERAOperation
Enduring/Iraqi Freedom OEF/OIF Persian Gulf War Post-Vietnam/Peace
Time Vietnam War World War II PRIMARY DIAGNOSES Traumatic brain
injury (TBI) Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)/Stroke Lower Back Pain
(LBP)/Pain Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Other mental health
condition Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Spinal Cord Injury
(SCI) Obesity SECONDARY DIAGNOSESChemical Dependency Depression
Pain (knee/joint) Osteoarthritis Other anxiety/mood disorders
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Sleep Apnea/Insomnia CAUSES OF
BRAIN INJURYBlast Brain tumor Drug overdose Fall Motor vehicle
accident (MVA) RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONLutheran Pentecostal Roman
Catholic Protestant Slide 18 Slide 19 Adaptive Yoga Star Pose/
Tarasana Slide 20 Specific Adaptations Slide 21 Physical
Adaptations 1.Breathing 2.Eyes 3.Inversions 4.Touching/adjustments
5.Modify up 6.Props 7. Visualization Slide 22 Adaptive Yoga Spinal
Twist/ Ardha Matsyendrasana Slide 23 Cognitive Adaptations
Repetition Repetition Recreational therapy assistance Recreational
therapy assistance Simple demonstrations Simple demonstrations
Several models to follow Several models to follow Group adjustments
Group adjustments Non-comparison, non- competition, non-criticism
Non-comparison, non- competition, non-criticism Slide 24 Language
Matters Yoga is an opportunity to Yoga is an opportunity to
Practice with what is available to you today Practice with what is
available to you today Choose option that makes sense for your body
today Choose option that makes sense for your body today
Option/alternative vs. challenge/modification Option/alternative
vs. challenge/modification Relaxation vs. meditation Relaxation vs.
meditation Stress response & relaxation response Stress
response & relaxation response You are the expert of your own
body You are the expert of your own body Your body gives you
information Your body gives you information Practice listening to
your body Practice listening to your body Use wisdom -what is too
much/not enough Use wisdom -what is too much/not enough Slide 25
Adapted Asana Demonstration Awkward/chair pose Holding posture
Utkatasana Eagle Pose Compression posture Garurasana Tree Pose
Balancing posture Tadasana Cobra Pose Spine Strengthening
Bhujangasana Slide 26 Adaptive Yoga Awkward Pose/ Utkatasana Slide
27 Adaptive Yoga Eagle Pose/ Garurasana Slide 28 PROGRAM EVALUATION
Slide 29 Slide 30 Slide 31 Descriptive Words Frequency Descriptor
1.RELAXED or RELAXING 2.CALM or CALMING Slide 32 In their own words
I know more about yoga today I want to learn more. Felt better
after the first time. The stiffness in my arm is almost gone from
all the stretching. I feel relaxed after each class. I have a
beginner course at home and try to do yoga every day. Made my back
feel better. Also improved mood. Visualizing is powerful. Helps me
with ortho problems as well as bipolar & PTSD episodes. Very
relaxing and interesting. It is great, really helps with the
stress. Slide 33 INTERVIEWS Slide 34 What did you think of yoga
before you started practicing? I didnt understand it. It seemed
hokey, bogus, tricks, people blowing smoke. -Olaf Ive been watching
it on Channel 2. Some people have issues but I was anxious to try
it. -Jim Eastern, control, in shape, has it together. -Jo DUMB.
Would have never considered it. -Rick I thought it was painful,
impossible, that I had to be strong. I didnt think I could do it.
-Suzanne Slide 35 What did you think of yoga now? Very relaxing,
helps me prepare for the week, to be more accepting. Cant do what I
did 30 years ago. -Olaf It has given me a more relaxed feeling. I
didnt think I would be using muscles that I havent used. I
generally get stiff from not moving. -Jim My perception of yoga was
always positive, but I have an even more positive attitude now. All
positive, calming, lovely, gold, and blue-green, and feels good.
-Jo I like the stretching. Loosens up your body. Pain has gone away
in my shoulder. Relaxing and warmth of your body. -Rick I like it
now because its relaxing, breathing is healing. I can lose weight
through mindful breathing. Here, I am comfortable, Im not
overweight. -Suzanne Slide 36 What was the hardest thing for you
when you started practicing? The breathing. I could go even slower.
Sometimes I have to tune the teacher out. -Olaf First time was
getting to class, long hallway. -Jim Always felt I was behind on
the positions, getting more familiar and catching up. -Jo Moving my
arm and not being able to stand (in a wheelchair). This continued
from my rehab process. I can do this for the rest of my life. -Rick
Relaxing different parts of my body. Im still not sure if I am
relaxing them or not! Im amazed that you know my tongue is on the
roof of my mouth! How do you know that? -Suzanne Slide 37 Why do
you continue to practice? I cant even explain. It gives me so much.
It gets me out of my house. I have time on my drive down. I like
people, but I hate crowds. I cant do this myself. Here I can be
with people. Im comfortable here. Theres nothing better for me. I
get cabin fever (in the winter), depressed, compulsive eating.
-Olaf It feels good, a positive experience always. Helps to control
myself, calming. Lessens stress in my life. -Jo Stretching feels
really good. I get really stiff, but am so relaxed after
meditation. My mood is much better. -Suzanne Slide 38 Adaptive Yoga
I relax more each time. Better breathing even with COPD. I use
breathing techniques to relax and hopefully my muscles will start
working better. -Jim Star Pose/ Tarasana Why continue to practice?
Slide 39 Adaptive Yoga Fitness, being with my friends here.
Stretching and loosening my body. -Rick Warm- Up Why continue to
practice? Slide 40 On days that you practice, do you notice
anything different? I feel good when I leave. Relaxed. I look
forward to coming. I get energized about it. I feel better in
general. Its not a chore. -Olaf Yes, I think it has a calming
effect. I used to show more anger, I show less now. Im more
relaxed. -Jim Feel that mind/body more in control Im more centered.
I feel good about myself. -Jo My body is looser, relaxed, warm.
Able to move further each time (arm). -Rick I feel better. I feel
happier, more relaxed. Whatever was bothering me before is gone.
-Suzanne Slide 41 If you were going to tell another Veteran about
yoga, what would you say? Do it! What do you have to lose? Its a
very individual experience. Unless they try it more than once, they
wont have a clue. Cannot describe. It is very individual. -Olaf I
would recommend it because youre working with aspects you never
worked with breath before. Movements that you dont think will be
strenuous are strenuous. -Jim Yes! I would recommend it for vets,
anyone. Would let them know I think it helps with my perception of
myself, PTSD, depression, and weight issues. -Jo I would recommend
trying it. Gets your body loose no matter what you do. -Rick Yoga
is for everybody. They even have people in wheel chairs practicing
yoga. That was a whole new perspective for me. I used to be nervous
around people in wheelchairs, now theyre my friends. -Suzanne Slide
42 Learning & Planning Slide 43 Specific Lessons Work in
progress Work in progress Constant re-evaluation Constant
re-evaluation Challenging our own assumptions Challenging our own
assumptions Every class is different Every class is different
Things change Things change Going with the flow Going with the flow
Many ways to be challenged Many ways to be challenged Broadening
criteria for success Broadening criteria for success Slide 44 Plans
for the Future Expansion Expansion Dedicated space Supplies/props
Tailored classes Tailored classes Womens clinic Spinal cord injury
Measurement tools Measurement tools Biofeedback equipment
Physiological measures Research Research Funding Slide 45
Relaxation & Closing Slide 46 Relaxation Guided relaxation
Guided relaxation Take time to prepare for relaxation Take time to
prepare for relaxation Types of relaxations Types of relaxations
Self-Acceptance Chakra/Rainbow Healing/Golden Light Forest/Nature
Starry Night Slide 47 Adaptive Yoga Savasana Slide 48 Bringing
Practice to a Close Checking-out Checking-out Share a word to
describe your practice Share a word to describe your practice Bow
& Namaste Bow & Namaste The Teacher in me Honors the
Teacher in you. Slide 49 Adaptive Yoga Prayer Pose Slide 50
Adaptive Yoga Namaste Slide 51 Namaste! Slide 52 Adaptive Yoga
Contacts Casey Linstad*, CTRS [email protected] 612-629-7618
*Veteran referrals Amy Moran, MA, RYT [email protected]
612-629-7360 Rose Collins, PhD, LP [email protected] 612-467-5758
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Yoga Questions
