Episode 23
Yoga for the Caregiver with Royal Fraser
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HOPE on the Other Side Episode 23 Program Notes:
Royal ‘s early life experience exposed him to Chinese Medicine and Asian culture, through his father’s military service in Korea. Later in New York City, he studied at the oldest massage school in the United States, the Swedish Institute. He specialized in Shiatsu, a massage technique based on the teachings of Chinese medicine. In NYC he worked as a massage therapist with Park Avenue movers and shakers. Next, Royal studied Chinese Medicine for four years at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine both at New York & San Diego campuses. This graduate level program included internships at a hospice, senior’s clinic and homeless clinic.
Personally, I have had over 100 successful and effective acupuncture treatments from Royal for my own low back and mid-back back issues, and for overall energy & health balance. This completely stopped my chronic back spasms and they have not returned in over 10 years. His patients get the royal treatment.
Royal spoke previously on Episode #6 on the Traditional Chinese Medicine area of acupuncture.
We discussed various styles or schools of yoga, shivananda, ashtanga, and for 10 years has been a certified teacher in the Iyengar style. Class structure and pathway reviewed, starting with basic group classes. Students begin with standing poses, which are called asanas. There is a focus on building your own body awareness and physical senses. The goal is to link the body and the mind. The physical poses are a foundation after which one may explore the breath exercises. Royal defined the breath exercises, pranayama, prana being life force, and the yama, represents action. One may feel like a beginner for the first few years.
The major challenge of learning how to relax, and to relax deeply. In the book by Iynegar on hatha yoga physical practices and yoga philosophy, the last pose of the set is seen as the most difficult to master. It is shavasana (AKA corpse pose): and it is to relax the body and mind for rejuvenation of the body, mind and spirit while reducing stress and tension. For the listening audience, the caregivers at home, this can be a great alternative to alcohol or tranquilier medications.
Yoga is a great way for the householder, caregiver to support themselves in the complexity of caring for a loved one who is living with schizophrenia. Royal’s opinion is that a group class would help break through the sense of isolation and feeling overwhelmed. It is important to talk with your chosen teacher to get specific restorative poses for your life. In the Chinese medicine system, using poses to open the chest, as the center of emotions can be most helpful. Home practice of basic poses for 15 minutes or more, can be a lifeline to the group class. This “home practice” is especially useful when the caregiver’s week is too full and busy to allow them to get to a group class.
We touched on an idea which is similar in yoga philosophy and Chinese acupuncture. The heart is consider the seat of the soul. The goal of yoga in India is to look within and join with that divine part of yourself. A joyful, elation can be found when the heart is open to the energy of the soul, and the emotions. This can empower the caregiver at home. It is like strengthening the “muscle” of emotional stability.
Yoga is generally not designed for emotional catharsis. Generally the practice is not to release emotions, but rather to gain balance. Sometime specific Iyengar techniques can be used in the class should some unbalanced emotions show up.
Iyengar yoga is meant to be a universal practice regardless of health or illness. Royal recommends that a person who is living with schizophrenia work with a “senior teacher,” and discuss that with the teacher.
Links
E-MAIL: royalfraser@me.com
His contact phone number: (619) 977-5336
Iyengar Yoga Centers of San Diego
Book: “Light on Yoga” by B. K. S. Iyengar (published 1966)
