EasyVigour Back Care Basic Book Review Book Review: Elisa Browning Miller - Yoga for scoliosis


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I've done the DVD workout alongside my niece who has a scoliosis severe enough to require wearing a brace. I enjoyed the workout and could understand the power of the "tweaked" poses that Elise recommends.

Just one downside, and with the right help it will turn out to your advantage:
You have to work out which of the types of scoliosis is the one for you to follow. But don't let that stop you. Some tips from your physio of movement instructor (yoga or pilates) will see you right. The more you know the better you can maintain yourself!

Reviews at Amazon.com...

Really works, January 24, 2006
By J. Kim -

I have an s curve scoliosis and after doing this DVD for about a year practicing at least one section every single day, I was able to feel noticeable improvements especially on my lower spine. People who have scoliosis usually have more muscle formation on side than the other and for me; muscle was actually beginning to build up on the side where there was very little muscle before. I admit, I haven't kept up my diligent routine but it works!

Nice work out for scoliosis suffers, October 17, 2007
By Hanna "Hanna" (San Diego)

The exercises of this dvd are very good and well-explained. However, I realized that I couldn't do all of them - at least at this point. Once I become more flexible, I may be able to do so.

Initially, I thought that the dvd was either blank - as other review had said - or that I had problems to play the dvd in my computer. A friend said that I should download a program called VLC media player, which is known for enabling computers to play basically everything. It really played it afterwards. In case you experience the same problem, this program is available for free - google it and download it!

Although I like to buy at amazon.com, this dvd was a bit expensive here. I bought it at www.deepdiscounts.com since it was cheaper and shipping was free.

I hope that this is helpful!

Excellent for those with scoliosis; nice basic practice for others as well, December 26, 2005
By Beth Cholette " (Upstate NY USA)

Yoga for Scoliosis features Elise Browning Miller, a yoga instructor who discovered in her 20s that yoga was the only thing which helped to control her scoliosis. Her four background exercisers each have scoliosis as well, and Elise frequently refers to their differing curvatures throughout the practice. I don't have scoliosis myself, but I was interested in trying this video in hopes that it would provide nice stretches for my back.

The main part of the DVD is broken up into three sections. The first is a short introduction (4 minutes) with Elise followed by a brief overview (1 minute) of scoliosis by an orthopedic surgeon. The next section is the 50 minute yoga practice, and the final segment is the bonus materials, including longer interviews with both Elise and the surgeon (4.5 minutes each), and six bonus yoga postures (wall stretch, down dog, shoulder stretch, warrior 1 with wall, chair twist, and 3 part pull) which are performed with props.

The yoga practice itself is broken up into three segments, with Elise providing a short introduction at the start of each segment. The first, Breathing and Spinal Lengthening Poses (16 minutes), focuses on poses to stretch out the spine. It begins with yogic breathing and then moves on to standing side and wall stretches, cat pose, puppy pose, child, down dog, and lunge. The second, Centering and Strengthening Poses (18 minutes), consists mainly of standing postures, including mountain, triangle (performed with a chair), warrior 1 & 2, and wide-legged forward bend. From a face down position, there are also simple back extensions, cobra, and child's pose. The final segment, Restorative, Releasing, and Relaxing Poses (16 minutes), includes a supported back bend (over a ball or bolster), a side stretch, chair twist, reclined hand to foot pose, revolved stomach pose, and relaxation posture.

Although I don't have scoliosis, I found this to be a nice, relaxing basic yoga practice. However, given Elise's frequent reminders about spinal curvature, the video is most ideally suited to those with scoliosis or other back conditions.


Pictured below:
Elise with client

pbrowningmiller




Bruce Thomson
www.easyvigour.net.nz