Yoga Teacher Training Forum

It is good you are careful with the kumbaka because students with previous stroke should not practice breath retention.

After a stroke, the student may have many emotional problems like grief at loss of mobilty, depression over stoke, anxiety and fear that stroke may come again.

Pranayama is the key, but breath awareness or breath observance is most important the first step.

Many times we refer to natural or belly breath as a second step.

As mentioned: Not practice breath retention.

Stroke survivors will be better to start with Chair Yoga instead of going to the ground. Students who have had previous stroke may have difficulties with vision, strength on one side, balance, dizziness, and getting to the floor.

Seated in a chair Yoga is safer, you could teach many Yoga asana and pranayama. Be very careful with stroke survivors on twists. Severe twisting in the neck can cause plaque to loosen in the neck. This is very serious. There are two carotid arteries; one on the left and one on the right of the front side of the neck. Each one separates into external and internal carotid arteries. Twists should not be full up to the neck, but should focus on waist line or lower back.

The neck should be in a neutral and not ever twisted - This is extremely important!