OSTEOPATHY
&
YOGA:
O.N.E. Yoga
Osteopathic Medicine
Osteopathy is a branch of medicine, founded at the end of the previous century (1890's), by Andrew T. Still, M.D. As such, osteopathic medicine emerged as an American reform movement to the prevailing M.D. model. It's practitioners; called Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O.) are fully licensed physicians in the USA, with equal legal and professional parity with MD's.
Osteopathic Medicine strives to offer more than the contemporary allopathic (MD) model to patient care through its philosophic approach and its practical hands-on manual manipulative practice. Drawing on a thorough understanding of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system and its interaction with all other body systems, the osteopath works with the innate homeostatic drive within each patient to promote health.
A very, succinct synthesis of osteopathic philosophy is the tenets of osteopathy as stated by A.T. Still. The key tenets include:
- 1. The body is an integrated unit.
- 2. The body is a self-regulating organism whose homeostatic mechanisms provide an inherent capacity for healing and repair.
- 3. Structure and function are dynamically interdependent.
- 4. There are somatic components to disease. Dysfunctions of the neuromusculoskeletal system can affect a patient's overall health status and the ability to recover from illness and disease.
- 5. The physician's role is as a facilitator of healing.
Osteopathic Manipulative Medical Treatments
Osteopathic Manipulative treatments are based on these tenets. Guided by the palpatory findings in the patient, the osteopathic physician treats somatic dysfunctions from the perspective of promoting the restoration of health.
These include multiple treatment modalities such as Myofascial release, Strain/Counterstrain, Facilitated Positional Release and Cranial Osteopathy.
The role of exercise in health
Exercise, as part of a healthy lifestyle, is an important component in the maintenance of health. 'Therapeutic exercise' is the process of using specific exercises to promote the restoration of health. Physicians may prescribe specific exercises to promote the healing of 'wounded parts'. However, the role of exercise in medical care has been largely overshadowed by technology in this era.
Observing this imbalance, Robert Fulford D.O., a great osteopath in the late 20th century, encouraged his patients and his colleagues to do 'therapeutic exercise'. Drawing on the succinct concept, " the person is as young as his spine", Dr. Fulford developed a series of exercises, now published under the title of "The Twig Unbent".
Hatha Yoga
A prime reason for the ongoing relevance of Hatha Yoga is that its practice is applicable in both maintenance and restoration of health.
To the practitioner of yoga, the 'therapeutic exercises', developed by Dr. Fulford, resonate with the asanas (poses) of hatha yoga.
As the sun salutation asana (Soorya Namaskar) has served as a core exercise to promote health for the yogi for millennium, the Fulford therapeutic exercises provide an effective exercise protocol for the current millennium.
Drawing on the well-established tradition of Hatha Yoga for the selection of proper exercises (asanas), and breathwork (pranayamas), Yusuf Erskine D.O. is expanding this work through workshops and class series to encourage participants to experience the therapeutic potency of osteopathic yoga.
Yusuf Erskine D.O. started studying hatha yoga in 1972. He taught on-going yoga classes for ten years prior to embarking on his medical education and training. In 1974, he was initiated into the Sufi Order of the West. His name was expanded to J. Yusuf-Quddus Erskine at that time.
He has been in private medical practice in Sebastopol, Ca. since 1992. His medical practice reflects his broad interests and expertise, osteopathic manipulative medicine, homeopathy, and HIV care. He continues his practice of yoga, as a student and as a teacher.
O.N.E. Yoga
The integration of osteopathic principles and hatha yoga has been penned by Dr. Erskine, as O.N.E. Yoga. Experience the benefits of Osteopathic neuro-musculo-skeletal exercise building on Hatha Yoga.
For information regarding current classes and workshop schedule please click HERE, or contact:
J. Yusuf Q. Erskine D.O.
The Family Wellness Medical Center
Osteopathic Medicine,
HIV and AIDS Specialty Care
1141 Gravenstein Hwy. South
Sebastopol, Ca., 95472
707-829-5455
Or Click Here to email Yusuf
OSTEOPATHY
&
YOGA
Therapeutic Exercise
O.N.E. Yoga
with
Dr. J. Yusuf Quddus Erskine Osteopathic Physician