Modified Surya Namaska

It occurs to me that there is one overriding factor that links both scoliosis and fibromyalgia - chronic tiredness. With fibro it's a given but one forgets with scoliosis how exhausting it can be to just stand or sit upright all day long when the spine has other ideas - muscles go into spasm, vertebrae can become inflamed. The fibre optic cable of the spine doesn't quite transmit its data correctly and the next thing you know you're zonked.

Sometimes then (and nearly all the time for me) full sun salutations are just not a possibility. If you suffer from chronic fatigue a series of Surya Namaska can drain you of the energy it is meant to be creating! So the question is, can we create a flowing sequence that feels like Surya Namaska, energises and opens the heart like Surya Namaska but at the same time conserves the energy? Of course! With yoga anything is possible and I have found that the trick is to do a floor based sequence rather than one that requires constant movement from standing to floor.

Begin sitting back on the heels with the hands on the thighs and check your alignment and breath.

As you inhale come to standing up on the knees raising the arms alongside the ears, stretching the fingertips to the ceiling and opening out the heart.

Exhale down into a long child - buttocks to heels, forehead to the floor, arms stretched out ahead of you (try to keep the arms alongside the ears as you lower down).

Inhale to all fours and cow stretch - lengthening the pelvis, opening the chest and lifting the head.

Exhale, tuck the toes under, push down through the hands and come up into Downward Facing Dog.

Inhale all fours, cow stretch.

Exhale long child.

Inhale standing up on the knees stretching the fingertips to the ceiling (trying to keep the arms alongside the ears as you raise up).

Exhale back to sitting on the heels checking in on the alignment and the breath.

Can be repeated as many times as you feel you need. You could try holding the down dog for a few more breaths each time, building up to holding dog for 8-10 breaths.

Work to the rhythm of your breath and to your own individual needs each day.

And enjoy the flow of breath, movement and energy!