A Yoga Teacher's Guide to Healing: Part 3 - Remodeling

Trish Corley Author

Why Yoga Practice Helps Healing

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The Remodeling Phase:Yoga Helps with Healing!

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Welcome back to the final article of the Yoga Teacher's Three-Part Guide to Healing! In this article, we'll explore the Remodeling Phase of tissue healing in yoga, the last leg of our healing journey. Understanding this phase is crucial for guiding yoga students effectively, ensuring they achieve a full and robust recovery on their yoga path.

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As a yoga teacher, you're no stranger to students with injuries. In fact, it's an integral part of your role, and that's a good thing! You have the opportunity to support and make a significant impact on their healing process. Whether you've been following this guide from the start or joining us here for the first time, it's vital to grasp the science behind tissue healing to empower your teaching and be a guiding force in your students' recovery.

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Just to refresh your memory, there are three stages of healing:

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1. Inflammation Phase: The initial emergency response.

2. Proliferation Phase: The construction phase where the real action begins.

3. Remodeling Phase: The final phase, where tissues mature and become more organized.

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Now, let's delve into the Remodeling Phase and How Yoga Helps With Healing:

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The Remodeling Phase is like the grand finale, where the healing site takes on its final form. It's all about tissue maturation and organization. Think of it as the moment when the construction project is complete, and the building stands tall, strong, and fully functional. During this stage, the focus is on achieving tissue maturation and organization. Mature and organized tissue is what allows the body to return to physical activity, be it yoga, running, housework, or another athletic endeavor. 

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Collagen Transition:

Yep! We're still talking about collagen. Recall from the prior articles that during the Inflammation Stage, collagen type III fibers were laid down. These temporary fibers are akin to a band-aid—providing initial structural support but not designed for the long term. However, in the Proliferation Phase, fibroblasts, our body's skilled builders, diligently worked to create a matrix of stronger, more substantial collagen fibers primarily composed of collagen type I. Collagen type I provides superior tensile strength, stability, and resilience compared to collagen type III. This transition from collagen type III to collagen type I is a pivotal step in achieving full recovery and returning the tissue to optimal function. But the tissue healing doesn’t stop there!

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Tissue Remodeling:

Tissue remodeling is at the heart of the Remodeling Phase. The collagen matrix created in the Proliferation Phase is modified and reorganized. This process fine-tunes the tissue, making it more resilient and functional. It's like the finishing touches on a beautifully constructed building, ensuring that it not only looks great but also serves its intended purpose flawlessly.

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Scar Maturation:

While scar tissue began forming in the Proliferation Phase, it continues to evolve during the Remodeling Phase. Over time, the scar becomes less prominent and more refined. It's as though the construction site now features a beautifully crafted exterior with minimal to no signs of damage or incomplete work. 

It's easier to visual scar tissue on the skin, as most of have a scar on our skin, or at least have seen one. What you need to know though, is that scar tissue forms internally too. That is, if someone has a torn ligament, strained muscle, or broken bone, the 3 phases of healing occur to the internal tissue. Though you can't see it on the inside of the body, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling do occur!

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Tissue Adaptation:

During the Remodeling Phase, the tissue adapts to the mechanical stresses placed upon it. Whether it's in response to everyday movement or specific physical activities, the tissue refines itself to withstand the body's demands. Hence, movement and pressure on the tissue are essential and complete rest can be detrimental. The remodeling phase is the moment when the building's infrastructure is tested and reinforced to ensure it can weather the storm.

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Yoga can help with healing, particularly to assist with tissue adaptation. During the remodeling phase, it is so important to ensure that your students' are practicing in a way that is challenging their body. 

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It's common for yoga teachers to get concerned about students getting injured (or re-injured) and default to "keeping it easy or gentle." While gentle or restorative yoga play a role in the path to healing, gentle yoga cannot replace the need for physical challenge. 

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In summary, the Remodeling Phase is the culmination of the healing process. It involves the transition from temporary collagen type III to resilient collagen type I, tissue maturation and organization, and the fine-tuning of tissue remodeling. This phase refines the healing site, making it strong, functional, and capable of withstanding the challenges of daily life and physical activities.

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As a yoga teacher, your role is critical during this phase. You must guide your students safely and effectively, ensuring that their yoga practice supports their healing journey rather than hindering it. The body's adaptability shines here, and a mindful movement practice like yoga can be the perfect companion on the path to full recovery. However, it's essential to remember that too much stress or movement can disrupt the healing process. If the construction isn't yet complete, it may lead to a breakdown of the healing site, setting your students back to the Inflammation Phase.

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If you're passionate about helping your students heal and want to understand the intricacies of the healing process, the "Teach Yoga to Students with Injuries" course is your go-to resource. It equips you with the knowledge and expertise to guide students with precision on their journey to well-being.

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Understanding the Remodeling Phase empowers you as a yoga teacher to lead your students with confidence, helping them build strength, stability, and resilience as they recover. What you say and how you teach will impact their healing process! Stay tuned for more valuable insights, and don't forget to explore our course, "Teach Yoga to Students with Injuries," for a deeper understanding of tissue healing in yoga.

Categories: : Effective Teaching Techniques, Injuries & Yoga, Yoga Anatomy