- I am looking for some insight on ways to help a student with Retrolisthesis. I've searched the forum, your Complete Guide to Yin Yoga book, and other websites, but cannot find too much information on it. I know the biggest rule is how safe the student feels in the body, so maybe wall variations are best when possible. I just wondered if there are any other contraindications I should know of. Many thanks!
The above is the simplest approach. However, if the student says that she was given no advice, then what? You have been provided with a partial diagnosis: retrolisthesis. This is a slippage of one vertebra over another. But, so what? Often people have these types of conditions and they are totally asymptomatic. I would ask the student, "what are your symptoms. What are you feeling? When? What makes it worse? Has your experience with yoga been good or bad?" And then, what is causing your symptoms? If she knows enough to say that her symptoms are being caused by retrolisthesis, then obviously she has been to a specialist, so ask — "what does the specialist say will be good or bad for you? Have you tried it? Does it work? How severe is the retrolisthesis? Is it caused by a fracture or arthritis? If partial, does the therapist recommend mobilization (yin would be good for that) or stiffening (yang/strength building would be better for that)?"
In general, with retrolisthesis, one vertebra is displace posteriorly so logically the student may want to push it forward, so backbends may be indicated and forward flexions of the spine contraindicated. But, again, I don’t know. Maybe it is better to stiffen and strengthen the back, via something like the McGill Big 3. (See this article on that.)
I applaud your effort to learn more about your student’s condition. That is great, but make sure she is taking full responsibility here. Your role is as a guide who can provide suggestions only.
Good luck
Bernie