Readers have responded to Natasha Livingstone's article on yoga and scoliosis, sharing their own transformative experiences with the practice. Louise Zamparutti, a former dancer and choreographer from Wisconsin, wrote that she has been ashamed of her scoliosis her entire life, diagnosed only in her early 20s. She coped with chronic pain through ashtanga yoga, which she taught for over 10 years, and now through lap swimming. The article gave her a sense of community, showing that there should be no shame in having the strength to cope with scoliosis and pursue one's goals.
Pain-Free at 75 Through Consistent Yoga
Kirie Pedersen from Washington state shared that Livingstone's story mirrors her own. By her 50s, scoliosis caused a pinched nerve and severe lower back pain, making sitting unbearable. A friend who is a yoga-teaching physical therapist warned her to take action or risk becoming twisted. Pedersen learned basic yoga poses, found them difficult at first, but persisted. She incorporated exercises into a daily routine, and at 75, she has been pain-free for years, practicing six out of seven days. She noted that physical therapy routines are often boring, leading people to quit, but consistency pays off.
Decades of Yoga Without Pain
Alice Devon from Louisiana was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 14 in 1969, when options were a cement cast until 19 or expecting a wheelchair. She rejected both and started yoga to emulate her best friend. Now 70, she has no pain, normal life, and remarkable flexibility. She practices by whim, sometimes for hours, sometimes not at all, but emphasizes that consistency over the years keeps one in the best possible shape.
