yogadopa @ neuromotion… starting April 3rd!

 

 

 

Exciting news!!

I have partnered with Neuromotion Physiotherapy Victoria and will be offering weekly “Yogadopa” classes for persons with Parkinson’s disease starting Thursday April 3rd from 330-430pm at Neuromotion (531 Yates St. Suite 303 Victoria BC).

 The classes will run for 12-weeks (*no class June 19, last class June 26th) and will cost $150 for the 12 weeks or $15/drop in. All equipment will be provided (yoga mats, blocks, chairs), however, participants are asked to bring a towel with them.

Please call (250.590.7878) or email (neuromotionvictoria@gmail.com) Neuromotion to register and guarantee your spot. Space is limited. Visa, debit, cheque or cash accepted (to Neuromotion) for payment.If necessary, please inquire about parking when registering. If wanting to drop-in, please phone ahead to ensure space is available.

 

see you on the mat! much love.

Applications of Yoga in Parkinson’s disease (Roland, 2014)

It’s published!

You can access the FULL article here. It is a systematic review summarizing all the available published research on yoga for Parkinson’s disease (which wasn’t much…).

Preliminary data suggested modest improvements in functional mobility, balance, upper- and lower-limb flexibility, and lower-limb strength. The presented evidence also showed improvements in nonphysical factors, such as mood and sleep.

This is important because improved mobility, balance, and lower-extremity function can reduce the fear of falling and functional declines related to inactivity. Also, upper-body flexibility supports postural stability and daily living activities, such as reaching for items on the top shelf.

While the evidence is limited (meaning there’s not a lot of studies, and the study quality is not high), it does suggest that there are some benefits, both physical and related to well-being, that deserve greater investigation. But we still have a long way to go with respect to quality scientific research supporting the the benefits of yoga…

This article represents my passion in life. I hope to encourage other scientists (and hopefully myself in future projects, if the grant-gods agree!) to examine yoga with the same scientific standards we do other randomized controlled exercise trials, and give scientific backing to all those benefits us yogis feel within us.

I’m so happy to share this with you and would love to hear your thoughts on the evidence presented, or if you have any questions! much love.

victoria yoga conference: a recap

Today, I want to recap some of the amazing experiences I had at the Victoria Yoga Conference. Much love to Carolyne Taylor and the wonderful crew of volunteers who made it all happen!

my bag packed – conference badge, yogadopa handouts, moleskin, and snacks!

welcome to the Victoria Yoga Conference!

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Friday night started with inspiring stories of extraordinary living!

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I did a great session on shoulder stability from Fiji McAlpine; I learned a new way of approaching the downdog-chaturanga-updog-downdog sequence that requires more strength but less strain on the shoulders and low back (which is always good!!) and a few new shoulder stretches (which I so desperately need!)

I followed that up with deep back bending with Suzanne Faith Slocum Gori … and did some great partner assists that brought my foot to my head in full Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (or one-legged king pigeon… yes!). Some really deep chest opening is a great way to start the day!

the view from my mat.

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My Yogadopa: yoga for people living with Parkinson’s disease session went really well and I had a great diverse group of yoga therapist, yogi with PD, interested yogi, healthcare worker, yoga teacher and caregiver. We did a general overview of Parkinson’s, some of the symptoms and specific yoga poses that can address the rigidity, bradykinesia, weakness, asymmetry and fatigue.

Rachel Scott did an amazing job of summarizing a trillion years (ok, I exaggerate!) of yoga history in 75-minutes… I can really geek out on vedic history, the upanishads and the bhagavad gita. And Madhuri offered a wonderfully grounding Ayuvedic yoga practice for the winter (vata) season.

setting up to release our psoas.

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I learned a lot about releasing the psoas from Jules Payne (Ajna yoga) and that by keeping our hip flexors/groin relaxed and “supple”, we increase parasympathetic activation and reducing our stress response. It felt so good to work on relaxing the front of our hips (modern stressors – i.e. sitting, driving keeps them so tight!) through some great releases (slow-mo ball rolling with our pelvis and spiky ball rolling of our feet – amazing!), box squats and alternate limb super mans (to build gluteus max) and legs-up-the-wall pose with some resistance.  This is one session I may have to blog about more… because who doesn’t love the psoas?!

Finally, Ryan Leier (from One Yoga) led a morning Ashtanga class with a twist … and offered some great teachings from P. Jois – reminding us that our physical practice needs to be grounded in the yoga sutras, yamas (right/ethical livings), niyamas (restraints/observances) and breath.

yogis setting up for the morning “ashtanga with a twist”

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It was an incredibly FULL weekend, in all senses of the word. Much gratitude to the yoga community in Victoria (and those yogis who travelled to be here). much love.

Also, see CHEK news coverage  of the conference (and a mention of my workshop at 00:45!)

Yogadopa at the Victoria Yoga Conference!

… just another reminder to check out the full line-up for the Victoria Yoga Conference, happening January 31-February 2nd here in Victoria!

I’ll be doing a Yogadopa session… yoga for people living with Parkinson’s disease, healthcare professionals and others on Saturday February 1st  11-12:15.

Yogadopa makes yoga accessible to people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Join Kaitlyn as she combines her research and experience-based expertise to uniquely addresses PD symptoms in a safe environment. This session will emphasize body awareness and postural stability lost from PD, promote ways to use your own strengths & induce relaxation to combat disease-related fatigue. All persons who live with (persons diagnosed, care partners) and support (yoga teachers, exercise/physical therapists, healthcare practitioners) PD and neurodegenerative diseases welcome!

“Yogadopa” at the World Parkinson Congress, Montreal QB (Oct 2013)

… More information on registration HERE. Yogadopa is a community class and will be $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

Hope to see you there! much love.

Victoria Yoga Conference

… Have you heard about the Victoria Yoga Conference?

The Victoria Yoga Conference (VYC) is a weekend of inspiration, motivation and deep learning about the practice of yoga. The Second Annual Victoria Yoga Conference or VYC format includes yoga practice, workshops, yoga business workshops to assist studio owners and teachers how to market themselves and truly make a business of their passion and other inspirational speakers and workshop leaders.

I’ll be there teaching a Yogadopa workshop for all people living with Parkinson’s, caregivers and healthcare professionals Saturday February 1st. Keep checking here for more info to come…

You can check out the list of all workshops HERE and teachers HERE!

Register before Dec 31st and save! Hope to see you there! much love.

Kelowna, I’m bringing some Parkinson’s yoga and Time Out for Caregivers to you!

After spending 4 years in Kelowna completing my PhD, the Kelowna PD community is near and dear to my heart! Just ask about 70 of them about getting hooked up with an EMG machine and spending the day being monitored… I definitely couldn’t have done my PhD without them!

… that’s why I’m coming back to Kelowna and bringing some yoga with me. Friday November 15th and Sunday November 17th I’ll be running two yoga workshops specific to PD at Trinity Yoga Center (#6 – 3818 Gordon Drive).

Space is limited, so please register early by sending me an email (kaitlyn.p.roland@gmail.com) or calling me at 250.589.2046

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I’m also in town for a Parkinson Society BC “Time Out for Caregivers!” Event on November 16th from 1-4pm… so care partners, come join me for discussions on self-care and resilience!

… can’t wait Kelowna! much love.