I have had scoliosis since childhood. It had never occurred to me that my spine could straighten as an adult. But it happened as a result of Rosen Method sessions.
Everyone is different, and Rosen Method doesn't claim to straighten spines.
Even without realigning the spine, however, Rosen Method can bring considerable relief to back pain, since it releases chronically tight muscles. My clients with scoliosis
seem to appreciate my ability to understand how their back feels and to locate their tension and pain.
My spine can revert to its habitual curvature between sessions, and I work on re-educating the muscles through various practices. One of these is Alexander Technique. Another is yoga.
Yoga with Elise Browning Miller
Elise Browning Miller is a well-know local yoga teacher who works extensively with scoliosis. She was drawn to yoga originally due to the curvature of her spine, which was 49 degrees -- an amount that is often treated by surgery. Through her yoga practice, she reduced the curvature to 32 degrees.
Here is her website (www.ebmyoga.com), which includes a schedule of classes. She operates the California Yoga Center, located near Trader Joe's in the San Antonio Shopping Center (Mountain View). Classes are $17 for drop-in or $14 if you purchase a series of eight classes.
She offers private sessions, where she will create a program of yoga poses specifically designed for your individual condition. In addition to working on your own, you can attend her Back Care classes (look for classes coded 'B' in the weekly class schedule). Also, check her website for periodic Yoga for Scoliosis workshops.
There's a Yoga Journal article on her website in which she recommends poses for scoliosis, with descriptions and photos.
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Yoga with Tina Martin
Miller teaches Iyengar yoga, she's a very popular teacher, and her classes are packed. If you have scoliosis and prefer a gentler style of yoga, I highly recommend Tina Martin. Her classes are small, and you will receive personal attention that addresses your particular issues.
She teaches at Ananda in Palo Alto (El Camino and Oxford), Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:15 to 1:30. You can write her at tinajoym@pacbell.net. Classes are very affordable. If you purchase a ticket for 10 classes, the cost is $7 per class. The drop-in cost is $10.
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Unraveling Scoliosis
by Liz Koch
This is a CD on scoliosis by Liz Koch, a local teacher who gives frequent workshops on the psoas muscle. She feels strongly that surgery for scoliosis, such as inserting a metal rod, is not advisable. It was interesting to hear the various bodywork approaches she has used for her own scoliosis, all of which she has found helpful. This presentation is available on cassette tape for $10.00 and on CD for $15.00.
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