These Yoga Techniques Can Remedy Fascia Issues

Try yin and neurogenic tremoring.

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The “buzz” around fascia has been picking up during the last several years. And while there has been a fascination with how fascia connects the entire body (which I have to admit is quite fascinating), it may be interesting to point out some of the psychological effects of fascia, particularly when it comes to stress and trauma.

Stress and trauma can come in many shapes and sizes (injury, surgery, life events and experiences, etc.), all of which can affect the integrity of the connective tissue. With physical injury or trauma, the body responds with fascia inflammation to help with the healing process. If the inflammation does not correct the area of the body that was traumatized, it will then build up scar tissue, which can cause pain (yes, nerves are covered by fascia too) and limited mobility, thereby affecting muscle patterns, etc. 

Yin and restorative yoga practices can help slowly stretch the fascia and other connective tissues. Releasing stress has been shown to create a myofascial release through neurogenic tremoring. Both practices complement each other by promoting increased circulation and lymphatic drainage, and inviting the stretch reflex of the muscles and overlying fascia.

This post was originally published on September 2, 2014. 

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Joanne Varni

Joanne's philosophy as a yoga teacher is to help people who seek personal empowerment feel connected to their bodies, quiet their mind, stimulate a healthy nervous system, and release tension in the body caused by stress, anxiety, or trauma. Her teaching technique uses a combination of breath work, meditation, gentle asanas, somatic yoga, and neurogenic tremoring. Additionally, Joanne specializes in helping those with trauma (including PTSD) and has attended and completed her Level II certification in TRE (Trauma/tension release exercises) with Dr. David Bercelli. She is also certified as TSY teacher (Trauma Sensitive Yoga) under the renowned guidance of trauma researcher and pioneer Dr. Bessel van der Kolk (The Trauma Center at JRI). Joanne teaches classes, workshops, teacher trainings, as well as running retreats locally and internationally. She also teaches Yoga for Trauma Recovery at the VA Hospital in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and San Jose, California and has voluntarily taught yoga to women incarcerated at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas and the Center for Survivors of Torture in San Jose. Joanne is an ERYT500 and earned her 200 hour and 500 hour YA certification through Jennifer Prugh’s YA certified “JOY of Yoga” teacher training. She completed her Therapeutic Yoga teacher training with Cheri Clampett and Arturo Peal and her Yin Yoga Teacher training under Paul and Suzy Grilley. A twenty-year resident of Los Gatos, she enjoys spending time with her husband John, and children, Anthony, Steven, and Nicole.

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