Mr. Roy called me one night to inform me that he was dancing on the dance floor – the same man who had walked into my studio limping three months earlier with excruciating back pain.
Mr. Roy’s (name changed) quality of life was at an all-time low when I first met him. He was perpetually in agonizing pain, had developed a slouch in his stance, and a pronounced limp due to the intense pain in his back (diagnosed as the first stage of a slip disc). Both his personal and professional life were suffering as a result. Despite many physiotherapy sessions and alternative therapies, nothing seemed to alleviate his debilitating condition. But his undeterred faith in yoga and its centuries-old philosophy led him to approach me, and I became his mentor.
Wellness is a Concept of Wholesomeness
The root of any problem may be hiding in the least expected corner. With this belief in mind, I spent around 15 days analyzing his lifestyle in detail. I looked into his eating habits, sleep patterns, sitting habits, standing posture, the quality of his mattress, his office chair, and more. These gave me enough clues to the source of his back pain.
Based on a pre-assessment of his health and lifestyle, I designed a holistic regime for Mr. Roy. He was guided on different aspects of awareness, and a routine was established. The goal was to address the back pain first, correct the problem, and then strengthen the involved muscle groups.
A Targeted Routine
Some very focused practices, along with lifestyle changes, were designed. One core practice that became an integral part of his daily routine was the series of Supta Padanghusthasanas. He practiced these 2-3 times a day for 10 minutes each session. By following the guidelines religiously, within three months, he not only walked pain-free but also danced. Before long, he followed his passion and became a regular runner.
Core Practices:
Supta Padanghusthasana I
Supta Padanghusthasana II
Supta Padanghusthasana III
All three videos embedded in this blog provide details on how to perform Supta Padanghusthasana I, II & III. Follow the sequence as given. Practice with the video for 5-10 rounds, until you fully understand the engagement of different parts of your body to their optimal capacity. Then, aim for independence.
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