Pose Modifications or Emphasis: Sciatica & Piriformis Syndrome

Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog)

• Bend knees to assist in forward pelvic rotation.
• Turn heels in to create space in buttocks.
• Another option: partner stands behind, places strap at hip crease, pulls back and away
• Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog)

Gomukhasana (Cow Face) Legs

• Bottom leg straight
• Gomukhasana (Cow Face)

Supta Padangusthasana (Reclined Hand to Toe)

• Outwardly rotate and abduct thigh (Doug Keller demonstrates)
• Supta Padangusthasana (Reclined Hand to Toe)

Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of Fishes Pose)

• Prop sit bones, and/or
• Place foot to inside of knee, and/or
• Other ways to avoid moving too aggressively deep into pose until student is ready
• Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of Fishes Pose)

Salabhasana (Locust Pose)

• Sarah Powers notes “The best variation [for sciatica] is to inhale, lift chest & legs; exhale there. Then inhale, bring legs apart (which affects the piriformis also); exhale, bring legs back together. If lifting the feet aggravates it, then do this with feet moving along floor.”
• Salabhasana (Locust Pose)

Anjaneyasana (Low Lunge)

• Focus on keeping torso lifted
• Anjaneyasana (Low Lunge)

Forward Bends (If student performs them)

• Elevate hips, and/or
• Bend knees, and/or
• Work to ensure pose is felt properly
• Forward Bends