Yoga for Amputees

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 04:10:09 GMT

Yoga is a must for amputees wanting to reclaim their health and wellness after limb loss!

This article has been published in Edition 1, 2021, 'Limbs 4 Life Amplified'

I have been a prosthetist and orthotist for 14 years working with a wide range of amputees in both the public and private sector, nationally and internationally. I believe most facilities provide patients with fabulous care to assist with their mobility (physical rehabilitation) following an amputation, however there isn’t enough focus on their emotional and mental wellbeing (mental rehabilitation).

It is because of this that in 2018 I completed studies in “Amputee Yoga”, in addition to my regular yoga teaching qualifications. My amputee yoga trainer was Marsha Therese Danzig, a below knee amputee. Marsha is my inspiration to share this practice with all amputees and to assist you in finding wholeness after limb loss.

Marsha taught me that “"Wholeness is not simply having four limbs. Wholeness is knowing you are complete within yourself just as you are".

WHAT IS YOGA?

Yoga is composed of movements which build strength, stamina and flexibility (these are called asanas)

And periods of rest, meditation and mindfulness (this is called pranayama).

There are many definitions of “yoga”, the word itself however means “union” or “connection”. Yoga is a way of connecting the body, mind and the breath. It provides us with the skills and space to build on our connection to life, to grow our awareness and acceptance of who we are, what we are and what ties us all together! In essence yoga is about making us feel whole and for amputees who have dealt with limb loss I believe this is crucial.

“The success of yoga does not lie in the ability to perform postures, but in how it positively changes the way we live our lives and our relationships”. T.K.V Desikachar

B ENEFITS OF YOGA FOR AN AMPUTEE

Yoga is a holistic medicine that works on increasing patient wellness without invasive procedures or excessive prescriptive medications. I believe it is a practice which allows the body and the mind to heal and can help make life better for amputees, especially as they grapple with prosthetics, body image, pain, freedom of movement and other residual effects of limb loss

P AIN MANAGEMENT

For an amputee, having mechanisms to overcome pain is essential. Research is showing that yoga has increasingly positive outcomes to assist patients dealing with pain. Many amputees experience pain related not only the to the residual limb, but referred pain due to uncomfortable prosthetic fit, phantom pain, or pain in an overused part of the body. Yoga has shown that with the right exercises, breath work and movements, pain can be reduced.

HOW TO PRACTICE YOGA AS AN AMPUTEE

WHERE CAN I PRACTICE

At your local yoga studio. Call the studio or pop in and discuss the option of you joining a class. They will help you work out which class/teacher will be most suitable for you/ assist you in finding another studio which can accommodate you if they are unable

At home. You can set up your own home studio and there are some fabulous online Yoga for Amputees programs you can join. Visit www.yogaforamputees.com for more information

Join me at www.phoebemalone.yoga where I provide assessment-based programs that are clinically focussed to meet your needs. These programs utilise my 14 years of clinical prosthetic experience to build holistic, full-body, goal-based programs. These can be delivered face to face or online and can be one on one or in small groups. There may also be an option for these programs to be included in your NDIS package.

Whether you have zero, one, two, three or four limbs, whether you are flexible or stiff, young or not so young, I believe yoga is for you!

If you are an amputee or a clinician and would like to chat with me about anything in this article please contact me through my website

ALL AMPUTEE PHOTOS HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY AUGUSTA ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY. THESE PHOTOS CAN BE FOUND IN THE BOOK- YOGA FOR AMPUTEES: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO FINDING WHOLENESS AFTER LIMB LOSS.

Dates Released for Inverloch Winter Wellness Retreat 2019

Sun, 05 May 2019 09:51:21 GMT

Nourish yourself, recharge your batteries and learn how to create balance in your life.

Join us for a weekend of yoga, seasonal wholesome food, good wine and good company. Inverloch Wellness Retreat offers you a special, luxurious weekend away where you can take a break from work and family routines, fill yourself with nourishing wholesome foods and learn how to move your body and your mind with yoga.

Friday September 13th - Sunday September 15th

The retreat starts at 3pm on Friday and concludes at 3pm on Sunday. If you are unable to get to us by 3pm on Friday this is fine, we will be ready to welcome you whatever time you arrive.

There is also an option to stay Sunday night for an additional $20 per room

The retreat is based in Inverloch, 2 hours drive from Melbourne where you will stay in beautiful accommodation at Sandymount or Eugenies and eat home-cooked seasonal, feel-good food matched with local wines.

This family-run retreat has been inspired by myself, my brother Stewart and my sister-in-law Amy. All three of us work full-time jobs and understand how life can be overwhelming at times and how hard it can be to take a break, to slow down and to really give your body, your mind and your spirit the nourishment it needs to be the 'best you'.

This weekend retreat includes: all meals, group yoga classes, meditation class, cooking classes, master classes in yoga (individualised guidance), tour to a local winery, time to explore Inverloch cafés, shops and beaches and time to indulge in spa and sauna facilities. Optional massages and reflexology sessions are also on offer.

This retreat is suitable for couples and singles, men and women of all ages. People who are new to yoga or who have been practicing for many years are welcome. The emphasis is on small class sessions and individualised guidance.

Cost:

Single Room (1 person): $850.00 total

Includes accomodation (kingsize bed), food, all activities listed above. Additional cost for massage, reflexology and plane fight

Double room (2 persons): $1250.00 total

Includes accomodation (kingsize bed), food, all activities listed above for 2 persons. Additional cost for massage, reflexology and plane fight

Limited number of double rooms available

We are so looking forward to meeting you and sharing this special weekend together.

To lock in your place please click on the link below and I will be in contact with details to pay a 50% deposit.

Place are strictly limited and the last two events have sold out very quickly - click
HERE to secure your place

Be Inspired