yoga certificationBy Faye Martins

Joint pain seems to be more apparent the longer we live. In any yoga instructor certification program, the issues relating to skeletal diseases, pain, and remedies are discussed. Young yoga teachers may not feel the pain, but are made aware of the importance of optimum skeletal health.

For thousands of years people have been practicing physical forms of yoga to relieve joint pain as an alternative to traditional medicines. It can be quite depressing to feel dependent on prescription medication to handle day-to-day routine.

With regular practice many find that there is no need for any other methods to help them handle the everyday aches associated with afflictions like Arthritis, Carpal Tunnel, and Fibromyalgia. Even if you do not suffer from these serious conditions, stress, work, and even a sedentary lifestyle can cause serious joint pain.

Ideal Asanas

There are asanas for every type of joint pain. Many have the mindset that moving around would be the last thing to prevent pain, and initially it may be more painful and difficult to practice yoga. However, as with any form of exercise the longer it is practiced and the more routine it becomes, the easier it will be.

Yoga instructors should be encouraging and positive towards those who are in class for the specific purpose of joint pain relief. Also, they should remind students that this is their own session, and they can take it as slow as they need to in order to be comfortable. From head to toe, here are some ideal asanas to not only decrease pain but also increase flexibility in problem areas.

• Shoulder, elbow and wrist pain: Wall plank, Dolphin, Eagle Arms, Child’s Pose.

• Neck pain: Bridge Pose, Forward Fold, Reclining Twist, Cow and Cat, Corpse.

• Hip pain: Triangle, Warrior 1, Downward Facing Dog, Locust, and Happy Baby.

• Back pain: Pigeon, Downward Dog, Child’s Pose, Triangle, Cat, and Forward Fold.

• Knee pain: Warrior, Butterfly, Child’s Pose, and Knees to Chest.

Other Recommendations for Students

Yoga instructors can also recommend additional holistic treatments like hot and cold therapy, massage, and a healthy diet that includes plenty of water. Strangely, the toxins in spicy and oily foods as well as alcoholic beverages have been found to contribute to joint pain.

So a good rule of thumb is to stick to anything fresh and light (Sattvic diet). Before long your students are sure to be singing your praise for helping them improve their health standards. As a Yoga instructor, student satisfaction is one of highest rewards of teaching.  One of the best ways to stay at the top of your game is to take specialized yoga teacher training courses, which address the needs of your students.

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