Russell's Pain City's Gain

Illawarra Mercury

Thursday February 2, 2006

By SARAH ALLELY

RUSSELL Young endured chronic back pain for six years as a scoliosis sufferer, but all it took was one yoga class to change his life.

Diagnosed at the age of 14 with a lateral curvature of the spine, he made weekly trips to the chiropractor, but the pain would return after a few days.

Being introduced to yoga while travelling in France was a life-changing experience for Mr Young, and now he and his wife Deb have opened a dedicated yoga studio, called Younga Yoga, in Wollongong's CBD.

Mr Young's back problem is permanent, but his daily yoga practice helps him manage the congenital defect and ensures he can function throughout the day.

"As soon as I don't do it I notice it. For me it's a motivating reason to exercise," Mr Young said.

"A lot of healthy people don't notice if they don't do any exercise until they're 30 to 40 and their back starts to get sore."

After his first yoga class at the age of 20, the pain disappeared immediately. Mr Young taught himself yoga, and six years later went to India to learn to teach. He then got a degree in exercise science from the University of Wollongong.

© 2006 Illawarra Mercury

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