Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely. Our bodies are designed to move, and finding ways to enjoy movement is essential for both physical and mental health. Working with a qualified scoliosis coach helps you learn which movements support your body and which may reinforce your scoliosis pattern.

Consistency and patience are key. While scoliosis-specific exercise may reduce curvature for some people, it's not guaranteed. What most people do experience is less pain, improved posture and breathing, greater body awareness, and increased confidence. The skills you develop through yoga and Scolio-Pilates® naturally carry over into daily life and the activities you love.

Scolio-Pilates® is a three-dimensional scoliosis-specific exercise program that aims to enhance postural awareness and endurance through finding one’s ideal alignment, alleviate compression in affected areas, increase spine and pelvis stability through targeted breathing techniques and muscle activation.  Yoga is a broader practice that includes movement, breathwork, meditation, and relaxation.

Depending on how they're taught, both can improve mobility, breathing, and pain management. I use Scolio-Pilates® to build awareness and restore more balanced alignment, then incorporate yoga to help you decompress physically and mentally, and move through life with greater ease.

For most people with scoliosis, creating length and space is an important place to begin. Elongation helps decompress the spine while improving breathing in areas that feel restricted.

Practices like Scolio-Pilates® and yoga can help you reconnect with your body so you can confidently return to the sports and activities you enjoy. There's rarely a need to give up the things you love—instead, you may learn how to prepare your body beforehand or unwind afterward to restore better balance. Gentle restorative poses can also be especially beneficial on days when you're experiencing pain or simply need to reduce stress.

Every spine is unique, so there isn't a universal list of "good" or "bad" exercises. The best approach depends on your curve pattern, your goals, your pain level, and whether you've had spinal fusion.

Because your body has adapted to its curve over time, certain movement patterns will naturally feel familiar. Scoliosis-specific exercise helps you recognize those habits and gradually build strength and awareness in a more balanced alignment. The goal isn't to think about your spine all day—it's to practice movements that support your body and then carry those habits into everyday life.

Yes—once your doctor or physical therapist has cleared you to exercise.

The location and length of your fusion, or the nature of your injury, will determine which exercises need to be modified. Begin with slow, gentle movement and pay attention to how your body responds. Because a spinal fusion creates stability in one part of the spine, the surrounding unfused segments often take on more movement and load.

Working with an experienced instructor is strongly recommended. They can help you modify exercises appropriately and avoid placing unnecessary stress on areas that may already be hypermobile.

Most yoga, Pilates, and fitness classes are designed for the average body. A spine with scoliosis or a spinal fusion moves differently, with three-dimensional curves and rotations that aren't typically addressed in a general class.

My approach begins with understanding your unique spine so that every exercise, breath, and movement supports greater balance, stability, and ease, rather than reinforcing existing patterns.Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We're here to guide the process, bring ideas to the table, and keep things moving.

As long as you have your breath and a desire to learn, you're ready to begin. 

No previous experience with yoga or Pilates is necessary. Whether you're completely new to movement or have years of experience, we'll begin by understanding your unique scoliosis pattern and building from there.

Like any new skill, a consistent movement practice requires patience and persistence. Some people notice positive changes after a single session, while for others, improvements in pain, strength, or endurance happen more gradually.

Most of us spend much of the day sitting, so intentionally making time for movement, breathing, and mindful posture can have a profound impact over time. These small, consistent practices build on one another and help support your body not only today, but as it continues to change with age.