Yoga Teacher Training Forum

I have been practicing yoga postures for more than thirty years. During that time I have developed yoga postures to adjust to aging and to my different types of arthritic needs. I have rheumatoid arthritis but can practice yoga, swim, run and perform daily tasks with ease such as painting, tai chi and riding a bike. Yoga has made this possible as I start with yoga for restoration daily and have since I was 20 years old. Every posture can be arranged for the restorative mode if the instructor takes plenty of time and works with long warm ups.

In my classes that I teach, I also move at a slow pace and as a student (I believe teachers are still students as well) can take yoga classes any where in the world that I might find myself. I courageously try different instructors who have not been aware of the need to warm up so during those classes I have experienced injury. Now that I instruct, I know

that I will use my experiences to help others warm up adequately and be sensitive to select moves that the students can do or that will enhance their restoration. For example, I cant perform a headstand with the bone formation in my neck but I can perform a very good shoulderstand! My knees are weak areas for sitting lotus postures so I use standing warm ups before sitting meditation or relaxation.