Educational Media Reviews Online

"My mission is to … help you use yoga to heal whatever injuries you may already have, or better yet, help you stay healthy to prevent problems in the future." -- Dr. Gail Dubinsky

Dr. Gail Dubinsky's unique approach to healing and prevention of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) isn't just for RSI sufferers. These four videotapes can serve as an entry point into yoga for anyone who has ever felt they could not conform to standard yoga positions. An experienced yoga instructor and physician who has treated soft tissue neuro-orthopedic injuries with an emphasis on RSI for over 10 years, Dr. Dubinsky has blended her medical expertise with an ancient discipline to create a unique and universal therapeutic approach to healing and prevention of RSI.

The programs open with instructions and a list of aids to gather before beginning (pillows and a chair) so that viewers can modify postures to suit their individual capabilities.

All the yoga movements are demonstrated on camera by Dr. Dubinsky and Deborah Karish, a Chiropracter and yoga teacher. Dr. Dubinsky's deliberate choice of a body type opposite from her own, and a serendipitous difference in cultural customs, give the programs a wide appeal to a variety of audiences in the U.S. and overseas. In addition, each video includes enough information in both printed and spoken form to allow access by the hearing impaired.

Each pose is thoroughly described and demonstrated in standard and modified form with an emphasis on avoiding discomfort by modifying posture with pillows or a chair. Dr. Dubinsky's soothing narration reinforces the importance of avoiding strain, of diaphragmatic breathing throughout each pose, and reinforces the concept of "grounding into the earth" to release tension and energy.

Demonstrating the basic principles and poses of modified hatha yoga forms, each of the four tapes presents a balanced yoga exercise sequence while focusing on a different concept or area. Volume 1 introduces key concepts of proper posture and alignment; Volume 2 focuses on opening and mobilizing the shoulders, chest, and upper back; Volume 3 moves deeper into neck and arm stretches, standing poses, and upper back strengthening; and Volume 4 is a relaxation sequence. Users can start with Volumes 1, 2 or 4, but should have experience with Volumes 1 and 2 before viewing Volume 3. Once familiar with all four, any of the tapes can be used alone or in combination.

Those familiar with yoga will recognize many of the poses: mountain, cat, tree, and child. "Namaste," which Dr. Dubinsky describes "the divinity/god in me greets/acknowledges the divinity/god in you" (similar to "shalom") and "savasana," the resting pose (also known as corpse pose) are both spoken and displayed on screen during the exercises.

The camera work and sound are excellent. Both demonstrators are clearly visible throughout, orienting themselves so each pose is seen from the front and side. The pace is deliberate and serene so the viewer feels neither rushed nor bored. The labels on both the videotape and jacket simply note the title and volume number; however, an insert does detail the contents so after a few viewings the user would know which programs to choose.

As an RSI sufferer, this writer can heartily endorse the effectiveness of this unique program. The value of stretching and carefully strengthening the muscles of the entire body and proper posture has been well documented as beneficial in healing injuries of the upper limbs. Dr. Dubinsky's paradigm shift approach to incorporating a tension relieving practice into one's daily life offers a unique tool to assist healing and prevention, and the program's wide accessibility and appeal set it apart.

Highly recommended and very affordable for public, academic, hospital and medical school library collections, particularly those with community patrons. Although the emphasis is on treatment of RSI, the yoga approach makes the programs valuable as a basic introduction to the discipline for those with limited mobility. Physicians will find these videos a valuable adjunct to other forms of therapy.

The Internet has a few sites that discuss yoga as therapy for RSI. Most reference a research study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania by lead investigator Dr. Marian Garfinkel (Garfinkel, Marian S., et al. Yoga-based intervention for carpal tunnel syndrome. Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 280, November 11, 1998, pp. 1601-03). Whole Health MD.com News and Perspectives section; OnHealth; and Yoga Site.com. An intensive workshop entitled "Structural Yoga for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome" was taught by Julia Lorimer at the 1999 International Somatics Congress, sponsored by the AHP Society for the Advancement of Somatics on February 25 - 28, 1999 in San Bernardino, California (the web site offers only keynote and plenary session transcripts). There is also a book by Sabrina Mesko entitled Healing Mudras: Yoga for Your Hands available through Amazon.com. There are a number of useful Internet sites to learn more about Repetitive Strain Injuries -- the different manifestations, the anatomy of the afflicted areas, the mechanism of injury, and so forth. One place to start is maintained by Paul Marxhausen, a frequent contributor to the SOREHAND discussion list, entitled Computer Related Repetitive Strain Injury. Another excellent resource is the RSI Network which publishes a regular RSI Newsletter online.