From the Sidelines to the Sunshine: How Yoga Therapy Can Help You Enjoy Summer Again

Sunsets…mountain hikes...fresh fruit, warm swims in the lake, trying a new ice cream stand, travel and spending time with family and friends - these are some of the fun activities summer has to offer.

Are You Missing Out Because You Can’t Keep Up?

Is pain making you stay home and on the sidelines to just watch? Are the summer days passing you by while you wish you could join your friends and take part in the fun?

Do you or someone you know suffer from chronic pain? You may have had an injury that did not rehabilitate the way you thought it would. Maybe it started out being intermittent pain so you limited your activities a little and started to lessen the activities you took part in. But little by little the pain has gotten worse, lasts longer, and you have less pain-free days. You are now missing the fun activities you once took part in, and are saying no more often than yes.  Slowly, you've started to feel frustrated, sad and maybe even depressed. 

The increase in pain can gradually start to affect your sleep. You toss and turn all night as the symptoms seem to increase at night, and you cannot find a comfortable position to sleep in. The next day the pain is still there, or worse, and you feel even more hopeless and frustrated. You have less energy and desire to participate in the fun outdoor summer activities and your friends stop asking you to tag along.

So What Can You Do?

You can try the standard or typical approaches such as stretching and strengthening, massage and physiotherapy or ...

You Can Try Something New

Yoga therapy is different from poses that you see in a yoga class. Yoga therapy uses breath, movement and stillness. Yes. stillness. Rest is just as important as moving. At KINnection Yoga Therapy we look at how your shoulder moves or how your hip moves and what muscles you are using to make the movement. We look at what muscles should be moving, and quieting the muscles that shouldn't.

By being still and connecting to your body and listening to what it is telling you, you will learn what your body is trying to say. Maybe it says - too much, too little, too scary, or too much movement. By being still and slowing down just a little, you will better understand the signals from your body. With this understanding you can make different choices. You can make the choice to hike that mountain and then have a plan of what to give your body when you return. Neither choice is wrong or right.

The Choice is Yours

By taking back the power of choice, you will start to feel optimistic again. Even joyful to start moving again and ultimately be able to say yes to those activities you are missing out on.

Additionally, yoga therapy fosters a deeper connection to oneself, encouraging self-awareness and mindfulness. This heightened awareness allows you to recognize patterns and triggers that may be contributing to your pain, empowering you to make informed choices about your activities and lifestyle. By integrating yoga therapy into your routine, you can gradually build strength, improve flexibility, and enhance your overall well-being.

Yoga therapy is not just about addressing immediate pain relief; it’s about fostering long-term resilience and a healthier relationship with your body. Many people who have incorporated yoga therapy into their lives report significant improvements in their overall mood and outlook. They find themselves more equipped to handle stress and more in tune with their body's needs. This holistic improvement can lead to a more active and engaged lifestyle, where the joys of summer activities are within reach again.

Imagine the possibilities: waking up refreshed after a good night’s sleep, feeling energized to take on a new hiking trail, or simply enjoying a leisurely swim in the lake without the looming fear of pain. The journey from chronic pain to wellness is not always easy, but with the right support and dedication, it is entirely achievable. Yoga therapy offers a gentle yet powerful path to reclaiming your summer and your life.

Don't let pain keep you from experiencing the joys of summer. Embrace the possibilities that yoga therapy offers and take the first step towards a more active and fulfilling life. Your journey from the sidelines to sunshine starts with a single breath.

Doing this work by yourself can be a little challenging, but with the help of someone like myself who is a trained yoga therapist, you can experience remarkable results very quickly.

Please go to my website for more information or follow us on Instagram.