Why yoga Therapy?
They say if you do something 10,000 times, you become an expert. I’ve been specializing in yoga therapy, injury management and prevention, and yoga for chronic pain since 2006, so I’ve passed that mark. But the truth is, the number of hours doesn’t matter as much as the reason behind the work.
For me, it’s personal.
When I was 21 years old, I was in a serious car accident. Our car flipped on the freeway and my head went through the side windshield. I walked away from that crash, but I was left with more than a decade of sciatic and low back pain that impacted every part of my life…eventually ending my dance career at 28.
Discovering yoga therapy changed everything.
It helped put my body back together and gave me real, lasting relief. I learned that the type of yoga you do matters, especially when you’re dealing with pain. A fast-paced vinyasa flow may look appealing, but it can exacerbate low back and sciatic issues.
Therapeutic yoga is different. It’s not about how far you can stretch or how strong your chaturanga is, it’s about honoring the body in its current state and supporting its healing with intention, breath, and mindful movement. It’s yoga that meets you where you are.
There comes a point in life where we don’t need to impress anyone anymore. We certainly don’t want to risk injury or make old injuries worse. Our goals shift. We just want to feel better in our body. And yoga therapy offers exactly that: a safe, compassionate space to move, breathe, and heal. It’s slower, smarter, and deeply intentional.
Something to keep in mind when dealing with low back or sciatic pain; it’s important to avoid deep twists, advanced back bends, and standing or seated forward folds. Those types of postures can put too much pressure on the spine and can further compress the discs and worsening nerve pain. Instead focus on practices that gently open the hips and spine, stabilize the core, and calm the nervous system.
Yoga Therapy Pose for Mental Health & Back Pain: Legs Up the Wall (Viparita Karani)
This simple restorative pose is a powerful tool for both body and mind. It helps calm the nervous system, ease lower back tension, and regulate stress and anxiety. Add a folded blanket or bolster under your hips and stay for 5–10 minutes. Let gravity do the work…your job is to breathe and soften.
Yoga therapy isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what’s right for you. And sometimes, that’s exactly what your body and soul have been waiting for.
As always, I look forward to seeing you on the mat.
“Breath life. Seek truth. Love more.”
If you’re ready to begin your yoga journey, explore the studio below: