1. The Powerof Yoga Therapy for the Disabled
Traumatic braininjuries(TBI) tragicallyalterthe livesof survivorsaswell as
theirfamiliesandcaretakers. Whetherthe injuryresultsinphysical or
mental disabilities,TBIpatientscanoftenfeel high levelsof stressanda
sense of despair.
Yoga has beenproventobe a powerful therapeuticmethodtoincrease
mobilityinTBIpatientsandprovidesanopportunityforthemtorelieve stress.
BethWiecerzak,ownerof De StresswithBeth,visitsthe Universal HealthInstitute(UHI) inLivingston,
NJ,to teach patientssome of the basicyogaexercisesaimedatreducingstress,improvingflexibilityand
strengthandbuildingastrongerphysical andmental attitude.
As Betharrivesat UHI, patientsare quietly sittinginadimlylitTV room. Beth greetsthemwarmlywith
yoga mat inhand and all eyeslightup, eagerto participate inthe monthlyyogaprogram. The TBI
patientsvaryinability;some canwalkontheirown,some may be usinga wheelchairorwalker
temporarily,while othersare paraplegicandconfinedtoa wheelchairindefinitely.
Bethfocusesonthe one thingthatall patientsare capable of accomplishing - deepbreathingand
meditation. She explainshowtouse the “Ujjayi”breath,alsoknownas“ocean breath”,inhalingand
exhalingthroughthe nose toslowthe mindandbody,relax andinfuse the bodywithmuchneeded
oxygen. Beth remindsthe patientsthatthisbreathingtechnique canbe done anywhere,atanytime
and isone of the bestwaysto combat stress.
Bethstarts the class withsimple exercises,leadingpatientsinheadrolls,neckstretches,andseatedleg
lifts.She alsoincorporatesdifferentyogaposes suchasa birdand tree pose, whichcan all be done
sittingina wheelchairorseat.
While simple stretchingcanbe a greatchallenge tosome patients,youcansee the satisfactionontheir
faceswhentheybeginmovingalittle bitmore witheachexercise andpose. One patientinparticular,
was unable toachieve mostof the stretchesandexercise sincehe wasparalyzedfromthe chestdown.
Thisyoungman, however,remainedfocusedonBeth, wasable touse the breathingexercises,and
temporarily“escapes”hisstresswithmental visualization.
Beth’scompassionforthese patientsshinesthroughasshe coachesthisyoungman to stretchhischeek
muscles-one of the onlypartsof hisbodyhe can currentlycontrol. His hardwork transformshisonce
solemnface intoa broadsmile. She’smade aconnectionwiththispatientandhelpshimtofeel he’s
accomplishedsomethinggoodtoday.
She remindsthe patientsthattheyshoulduse afocal point,or“driste”,to helpconcentrate onthe yoga
pose or exercise theyare attempting. Bethexplainsthatadriste can be helpful whentryingto
accomplishanychallenge.
As the classprogresses,the patientsbecome more relaxed,some laughingandjoking,some simply
meditatingandbreathing. Surely,thisisawelcome comforttothe patients,whoare currentlylivingat
UHI. ^^This is page one of 3