HLL04 BioMedical Yoga Therapy for Pain Relief

Biomedical Yoga Therapy for head, neck, shoulders

Time & Date: Saturday 23 March, 9:30am – 1:00pm
Hosted By: Celia Roberts BSc Senior Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist

In this informative morning of experiential learning, Celia focuses on head, neck, and shoulder pain, and the afternoon session shall focus more specifically on the neuroplasticity of pain. Both morning and afternoon sessions will offer an immersive experience of body-mind medicine and yoga therapy, based on the latest research in pain science combined with the ancient practice and philosophy of yoga.

It has been discovered that when we understand the true nature of pain we are able to focus on re-training our brains neurochemically in a manner that reduces the negative pain feedback loop and has a significant impact as opposed to just tissue repair and pain killers (Lorimer Moseley). We shall be exploring the connection between chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD, trauma and depression, looking deeply into the neuroscience of pain and the Embodied Brain.the yoga poses; this in combination with the breathing and relaxation techniques for upper body pain and misalignment, will allow us to learn that the key will not necessarily be tissue repair, rather brain training and understanding the biopsychosocial nature of pain.

Liberation of body and mind comes with deep presence and the ability to attune to your bodily sensations. Learn how to manage emotional and physical pain through yoga therapy and meditation.

If you experience any amount of pain, whether it is mild to chronic, yoga therapy and meditation are therapies that can offer you relief where modern medications may not. In healing pain, the research clearly points to one very good fact: “Movement is king”.

We will be exploring:

• A personal bodily focus based in Ayurvedic emotional body work
• The neuroscientific basis for why yoga and meditation is an effective treatment
• Yoga therapy practices that have been proven to provide pain management and to cultivate holistic well-being
• Techniques of internal and external rotations, mobilisation for shoulder joints, triggers of relaxation, as well as resistance work
• Body alignment and protection for reduced head, neck, jaw, temples, eye and shoulder pain
• Why movement is king in treating pain
• Understanding the biopsychosocial nature of pain and brain training for pain relief

Neuroplasticity of Pain & Meditations for Pain Relief

Time & Date: Saturday 23 March, 1:45pm – 4:45pm
Hosted By: Melissa Day Associate Professor, UQ

In this 3-hour workshop, I will present the latest research and theory on the neuroscience of pain and mindfulness meditation to demonstrate how meditative practice harnesses processes of neuroplasticity to work for you, rather than against you, to retrain the brain to more adaptively respond to living with persistent pain. I will then provide theoretical and experiential training in several of the mindfulness meditation techniques that have been empirically demonstrated to harness this neuroplasticity to reduce pain and improve function.

I welcome questions and discussion along the way, and by the end of the three hours I hope you will leave with a new understanding of the brain in pain, as well as additional “tools for the toolkit” for more effectively managing it.”

~ Associate Professor Melissa Day

BioMedical Yoga Therapy for Back and Spinal Health

Time & Date: Sunday 24 March, 9:30am – 1:00pm
Hosted By: Celia Roberts BSc Senior Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist

Join Celia once again for a morning focused on the healing capacity of the mind and body through understanding the core principles of Yoga Therapy; “breath and spine”.

Complementary therapies for back pain have an abundance of evidence-based literature asserting their effectiveness. Indeed, a recent Victorian article in The Age urged to prescribe yoga and mindfulness to fight back pain, such antidotes are being encouraged more and more world-wide as research uncovers more and more of what tradition has taught for centuries. As such, there is growing awareness of the body-mind connection as it relates to the inflammatory response – this is a vital link when considering treatment for issues such as lower back pain, which is the most common complaint in complementary medicine.

We will be exploring:

• Traditional yoga therapy wisdom behind the body-mind-pain connection and how this relates to holistic well-being.
• Yoga Therapy for Back pain and Spinal Heath from a Physiotherapy perspective
• Processes of poses that assist in back pain management
• The advantages of practice, as well as their psychological benefits
• Pain as it relates to body alignment
• Protective practices for reduced back pain and spinal health
• Breathing practice to assist with pain management
• Tools and techniques for the release of tension from Myofascial Connective Tissue
• Affecting the subtleties of the human constitution to facilitate optimal results in the practice of classical yoga and yoga therapy for the individual.
• Moving with the nature of the spine in relation to intelligently placed steps (sequencing a practice)

Allostasis and Pain – How Stress Physiology Drives Symptoms

Time & Date: Sunday 24 March, 1:45pm – 4:45pm
Hosted By: Oliver Crossley, B. Physiotherapy / APAM

Uncover the nuanced interplay between stress physiology and pain, gaining a comprehensive understanding of how these elements intricately intertwine. Explore specialized techniques and approaches informed by allostasis principles, empowering you to craft sessions that not only nurture physical well-being but also address the deeper aspects of stress management and pain alleviation.