Intro to ELDOA Workshop

In this workshop Angie will introduce the ELDOA method in detail and the ways it informs and combines with a yoga practice.

What are ELDOA Exercises?

ELDOA (Étirements Longitudinaux avec Decoaptation Ostéo Articulaire), or more easily translated to Longitudinal Osteo-Articular
Decoaptation Stretching, is a revolutionary technique created by World renowned Osteopath Dr. Guy VOYER.

This brings together the specificity of the ELDOA method and the somatic experience of Therapeutic Yoga. The ELDOA postures are specific to a segmental spinal unit or joint. The goal of each of these postures is imbibing the disc, normalizing the surrounding tissues and increasing proprioception. The therapeutic aim of the class is regulation of the autonomic nervous system through appropriate sequencing and embodiment cues. You’ll stretch your fascia, build strength and skillfully affect your nervous system.

ELDOAs are postural self-normalizing techniques designed for widening the space within a chosen articulation. This is accomplished by creating fascial tension to fix the vertebra below and contraction in extreme range to normalize the vertebra above the targeted disc.

For example, it is possible in one minute a day to relieve disc compression between T6-T7 or even more specifically at the base of the long arm of the left sacroiliac joint. Dr. VOYER developed an ELDOA exercise for every articulation in the spine starting at the base of the skull and ending with the sacro-illiac joint. It is possible to create more room in a particular articulation with an exact position adapted to each person.

ELDOA postures are very specific compared to other techniques. Disc compression existing at any level of the spine can be addressed through a specific ELDOA exercise. If a client experiences pain because of compression between the 5th lumbar and 1st sacral, the de-coaptation position should target this exact level and not the one above or below.