Hi Neesha,
I wonder if you have any sessions with poses for people with rotator cuff injuries? I’m not sure if I should be doing down-dog pose and/or what other kind of poses I should avoid vs those that will help me strengthen my shoulder as I recover from injury. Thanks! – Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth,
When it comes to injuries, getting good alignment, movement and circulation is the best thing that one can do. Thanks for writing, though we are never happy to hear of injuries. This is a razor-edge, if you are not in good alignment with balanced action, you can cause MORE DAMAGE! Because of this reality, and the importance of your body and healing, I would recommend that you invest in some private classes with a teacher well versed in therapeutics and alignment.
Once you get good alignment and strength in the shoulder in non-weight bearing poses, then you move toward more weight bearing poses with good alignment. If it hurts, that is your bodies signal that something is not in order.
Even though I am quite aware in my body, as I am sure you are, I would do the same thing that I’m advising you to do. We all need eyes to look at us, to reflect what we can’t see ourselves so that we can optimize the situation. Find someone you trust to help illuminate the dark spots!
Here is one great asana that, if done in this specific way, that strengthens the rotator cuff:
