The road back to fitness after an injury can sometimes be long and arduous.
But Lifemark Whistler Physiotherapy is bringing together two disciplines designed to make that journey better.
The practice has combined physiotherapy and yoga to offer a unique and effective treatment plan, says Andrea Voros, a physiotherapist and yoga instructor who has developed the program.
“I am hoping this will be a bridge for people recovering from an injury or surgery and perhaps were wanting to get into yoga, but maybe felt a bit nervous and not sure or ready to go to an open yoga class,” Voros says.
All treatment plans are tailored to clients by means of an assessment Voros conducts.
“The treatment plans are person-specific, so everyone goes into the program needing to be screened by me to assess their functional movement patterns,” Voros says. “I will also get an understanding of their injury from which I can break down what yoga poses will be best for them.”
Voros adds that while getting to know her clients better she can direct them to a yoga class appropriate for them.
Yoga can specifically benefit someone recovering from injury by looking at functional movement patterns and appropriate corrections.
“For example, post ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgery, a lot of people struggle with balance, co-ordination and just functional movement,” Voros explains. “Yoga can really help with body awareness, strengthening and stretching.”
The ability to modify the sessions to meet individual needs is another unique aspect of the program.
“I want to be able to teach my clients safe modification and give them that confidence to go back to yoga or start a yoga practice they didn’t have before,” Voros says.
To help those with little or no yoga experience, Voros says she will be offering one-on-one yoga classes that will also be therapeutic.
“The nice part is that one-on-one Therapeutic Yoga sessions and small group classes directed by a physiotherapist may be covered by extended health plans under Physiotherapy.”
Plus, yoga can be good for the mind.
“The psychological benefits of yoga include it being a stress-reliever,” Voros says. “That’s a very powerful side, too, by getting people back onto the right direction of healing.
“The breathing aspect, getting connected with your body and calming the mind is very beneficial.”
For more information about Lifemark Whistler Physiotherapy’s combination of yoga and physiotherapy, visit lifemark.ca/Whistler, or call 604-932-4001. Andrea Voros also teaches an Ashtanga Yoga class Wednesday mornings 7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. which is open to anyone.
