Description

---

A comprehensive resource for yoga teachers, pilates instructors, and movement therapists--exercises, ergonomic adjustments, and daily-living activities for back pain, scoliosis, disc disease, and 18 other spinal conditions

Safe Movement for All Spines is an essential guide for all movement therapists and teachers. With ready-made exercises and easy adaptations, yoga instructors, pilates teachers, and fitness instructors will learn:

• How to distinguish among different common spinal pathologies and mechanical dysfunctions--plus appropriate interventions and adjustments for each
• All about osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, hypermobility syndromes, and more
• Guidelines for appropriate movement and injury prevention
• How to work safely and effectively with both pre- and post-surgical clients
• Targeted programs for specific back-pain issues

Accessible and easy to understand, the lessons and practices from Safe Movement for All Spines are appropriate to share with clients practicing at home or in the studio. 

Each condition is clearly explained with detailed illustrations and real-life examples, making for an empowering and educating experience. An invaluable resource, Safe Movement for All Spines is an up-to-date must-have for every yoga or pilates teacher’s reference library.

About the Author

---

GWEN MILLER is the owner of Gwen Miller Studio, an integrated clinical movement and manual therapy system and studio. Her specialty and passion is facilitating healing through education, empowerment, and movement.

Miller is an experienced continuing education provider through Pilates Method Alliance - NACPT, American Council on Exercise, International Association of Yoga Therapists, and Yoga Alliance. She has developed, written, and taught dozens of continuing education workshops and courses on a variety of health and fitness topics, including scoliosis, spinal pathologies, balance and stabilization training, osteoporosis, interval training, and more.  

With 20 years’ education and experience teaching movement, Miller enjoys mentoring teachers and developing community among movement professionals. Her current project, The Dynamic Spine: Safe Movement for All Spines, is a mentorship program based on her book that synthesizes her experience in working with special populations to educate and empower the next generation of teachers. Learn more at www.gwenmillerstudio.com.

 

Praise For…

---

“I am a physical therapist in an orthopedic setting with Pilates instructors and think this book would be an amazing asset for anyone that wants to know how to serve their clients best, without being intimidated by their diagnosis. This book makes it easy to understand common pathologies, gives practical applications for different movement styles, and also gives exercise program suggestions to apply right away. I wish it was around earlier in my own training.”
—Funmilayo Hill, doctor of physical therapy

“...a precise roadmap to individualized rehabilitation that will minimize the chance of aggravation of existing spinal and related issues and promote strength, flexibility, balance, and pain reduction for better functional status and quality of life. Ms. Miller dives deep into common spinal conditions such as scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, osteoporosis, and stenosis, as well as sacroiliac joint and hip issues. Safe Movement for All Spines is a tremendous contribution to the fields of physical rehabilitation and fitness. I recommend it highly for anyone who works with people with back and hip conditions.”
—Gail M. Dubinsky, MD, orthopedic medicine physician and certified yoga instructor

“...a well-researched tool that will benefit professionals and laypersons alike. Meant to educate and empower individuals, the emphasis is to teach and experience safe movement while working with spinal conditions. Exercises specific to yoga, Pilates, and general conditioning are included, as well as contraindications for each. Many excellent references are included for further study. I highly recommend this for those interested in improving spinal health!”
—Shelley Mogel, MA, exercise physiologist

“This book comes from Ms. Miller’s deep understanding of the body in motion and the ability of movement to heal many low back conditions. Here, experience in Pilates, yoga, and personal training bring together the best of each method to provide a user-friendly and effective guide to improving back pain through movement. Whether you are a back pain patient who wants to know more about your condition and how to work with it or an instructor looking for tools to make a positive difference in your clients’ lives, this book will provide useful information and exercises.”
—Nora St. John, MS NCPT, education program director at Balanced Body Inc.

“Gwen brings her movement solutions and strategies to life in this valuable resource....she provides simple, clear, and powerful answers to even the most difficult conditions. This is great for patients and professionals alike.”
—Trent McEntire, director and founder of McEntire Pilates, creator of Pilates Neuro-Movement and BrainSpeed Ball, and inventor of Arcus

“This comprehensive book offers us a way to truly practice ahimsa, nonharm, when teaching. What a relief to have such clear direction about how we can keep our students safe.”
—Jivana Heyman, C-IAYT, author of Accessible Yoga and Yoga Revolution

“Gwen Miller has composed an excellent guide whose purpose is educational—to help you understand the changes that may affect the spine—but whose reality is spiritual in helping you find your best new way of being.”
—Karena Thek, founder of Scolio-Pilates