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Trauma safety in hatha yoga practice

Perhaps the main task of a hatha yoga instructor in my opinion is to create the right energy setting and to maintain it during the whole class. If the mood is right students won’t be in a hurry, they will be more thoughtful, they’ll be able to tune in better, concentrate on a calm and gradual practice, direct the vector of concentration in the right direction.

If we’re talking about groups of beginners, it’s a good idea for the instructor to have a https://www.julianalucky.com/yoga-for-kids and plan for the systematic training of beginners, including asanas and also exercises to strengthen the shoulder girdle and wrist muscles, abs and back.

The main principles for working in a group, when we can’t pay attention to each practitioner separately, should be universal attitudes:

1. an obligatory warm-up that sets up the practice, warms up the ligaments and muscles, and warms up the joints. The warm-up will help prepare both physically and psychologically.

2. The principle – from simple to complex. All more complicated asanas and postures are like the top of the pyramid of simpler and preparatory asanas. It is often noticed by practitioners that it is easier to prepare for asanas than to enter them “offhand”, this can also help prevent injuries.

3. a reminder that effort should not be excessive or maximal. We do 60% of the work and work calmly, without tiring ourselves out.

4. Concentration. A reminder to scan the body, concentrate on the breath, or dive into a certain part of the body brings awareness back to practitioners when they are absorbed in learning a new form and how to direct the body into that form.

5. Clear formulations, instructions on how to build asanas. Speaking them and possible mistakes is one of the key fundamentals of injury safety.

6. Revisions when necessary. If, after instructions, some practitioners continue to build asanas incorrectly and injure, it is necessary to correct the mistake. If the error is widespread, it is necessary to focus the attention of the group on the readjustment, probably, to select additional or other formulations.

It is possible to make corrections by voice and hands, and it is up to the situation to decide which variant to choose in a concrete case.

The main traumatic areas when doing hatha yoga

– Knee joints. You should instruct that the knee should not go beyond the foot when you lunge or squat, the angle of bend of the knee should be not less than 90 degrees (for example, in Rider, lunges, Utkatasana, Veerabhadrasana 1 and 2, Parshvakonasana). Also, the knee should be in the same projection as the foot to avoid eversion of the knee joint (Virabhadrasana 1,2, Uttthita Trikonasana). The kneecaps should be tightened (Uttthita Trikonasana).

– Carpal joints. The angle should also be at least 90 degrees. (Chaturanga dandasana, Bakasana, Vasishthasana, Ashtavakrasana, Mayurasana, Kaundiniasana, Bhujapidasana, Tittibhasana). Observe the correct distribution of the center of gravity and the principle of alignment. Should do compensation after.

– Cervical spine. In all inverted postures is subjected to load. Do not turn your head when in asana, distribute the body weight on shoulders, not on the neck (Salamba Sarvangasana, Halasana). Distribute the main body weight in Shirshasana on the forearms, not on the head.

– Lumbar spine. It is stressed by bending, twisting and stooping. Bending should be done by twisting the hips (Janu shirshasana, Baddha Konasana, Upavishtha Konasana, Pashchimottanasana, and Uttanasana). The bends should not be too intense; they should also open up the thorax (Ushtrasana, Urdhva Dhanurasana, Dhanurasana, Shalabhasana, Bhujangasana). Twists are done on the extended spine (Marichiasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana).

The correct plan and structure of the practice also play a role. The instructor should follow a plan according to which the load is evenly distributed, with a set of breathing exercises, a warm-up, the main set, meditations, and a logical conclusion of the practice.