Surrey Physiotherapy Tips to Enhance Your Yoga at Willowbrook's Summer in the Courtyard

Surrey’s Summer in the Courtyard series at Willowbrook is a fantastic opportunity to stretch, breathe, and connect with community through free outdoor yoga. But if you’ve been feeling stiff, sore, or less-than-limber lately, incorporating physiotherapy techniques can help you get the most out of every session.

At Back & Body Wellness Centre, we love helping patients enhance their movement, balance, and flexibility. Whether you’re new to yoga or a seasoned pro, here are some physiotherapist-approved tips to support your practice this summer:

Tips

1. Focus on Functional Stretching

Dynamic stretches before yoga (like leg swings and shoulder rolls) can prepare muscles for movement. Save the longer, deeper stretches for post-class to avoid strain.

2. Improve Your Breath Awareness

Physiotherapists often teach diaphragmatic breathing, which aligns beautifully with yoga’s emphasis on breath. Slowing and deepening your breath can help you hold poses longer and reduce tension.

3. Don’t Push Through Pain

Soreness is normal, but pain is not. If you feel sharp or persistent pain in a pose, stop and modify. A physiotherapist can assess movement imbalances and offer exercises to strengthen or stabilize problem areas.

4. Strengthen Between Sessions

Yoga is great for flexibility, but pairing it with targeted strength work (like glute or core exercises) improves joint support. Our team can design a custom home program for you.

5. Hydrate and Recover

Stretching and sweating in the sun? Make sure to hydrate before and after class. Foam rolling or gentle mobility work can also aid recovery and reduce stiffness.