Hip openers are among the most satisfying and powerful yoga poses. They hold a tremendous potential for transformation; they can help us release deep-seated tension and trauma of the past, which many of us hold locked in the hip area. When practiced correctly, hip openers are a great way to soothe both mind and body; … Continued
Pain and suffering is an inevitable part of human life. The ancient yogic wisdom offers us a means to end suffering by cultivating the capacity to come into alignment with our greater truth. From that space, we can learn to be with the full spectrum of experience and skillfully navigate those energies to heal and transform both … Continued
All around us we see an epidemic of posture problems that often lead to back pain and other problems. Particularly common is the slumping and forward head posture that often comes with prolonged sitting. Posture problems also contribute to problems in yoga poses and even may predispose students towards injuries. In this course, Julie Gudmestad … Continued
An estimated eight out of every ten people will suffer from back pain at least once in their lives. Recent studies find that yoga shows promise as a complementary treatment for back pain; it has been shown to be more effective than exercise or a self-care book for improving back functioning in people with back … Continued
Your spine is a long curving river….in scoliosis, and indeed in all spinal terrains, it is important to sense the course of the river, the riverbanks, the surrounding country. To encounter the inflow of the tributaries of the limbs, and observe their impact on the course of the river-spine. The interior body as felt, known … Continued
The yogic action of Jalandhara Bandha, while it is designed for the practice of breath retention during pranayama, contains vital insights into the subtleties of how we hold our head, and how that in turn affects our breathing, muscle tone, and even the functioning of our nervous system. How we hold our head isn’t just … Continued
Join Tom Myers, author of Anatomy Trains, for an online course that will give you new insights into the interconnectedness of the body as it relates to your yoga practice. While traditional anatomy is static, Anatomy Trains shows you the body as an interconnected whole. We do not move via individual muscles as traditional anatomy has it, … Continued
Many yoga students have posture imbalances or habitual holding patterns, which affect alignment in their practice of yoga asanas. In this course, yoga teacher and physical therapist Chrys Kub shows how to develop awareness of the common muscle imbalances that create postural dysfunctions and how to harness the power of asana to improve posture over … Continued
Why do issues like prostate problems (for men), prolapse (for women), incontinence, and pelvic pain disorders become increasingly common as we get older? And, is there anything we can do to prevent or slow this process? In this course, yoga teacher and yoga therapist Leslie Howard will discuss common male and female pelvic floor disorders … Continued
Many people – yogis and non-yogis alike – have heard of the piriformis muscle, usually in the context of trouble it is causing. A tight piriformis can cause hip pain, deep in the back of the buttock, or it can put pressure on the sciatic nerve where it passes through the buttock. Pinching of the … Continued
Thirty-one million Americans suffer from low back pain, and increasingly, people with mild to moderate back pain seek out yoga classes to find relief for the condition. In this environment, it’s critical for yoga teachers to understand how to assess and address these conditions with intelligence, and above all, how to keep students safe. In … Continued
The core muscles are our physical, structural, and energetic center. A strong core is essential to healthy and functional movement throughout life. It forms the foundation for proper posture, ease and grace of movement, and even creates greater emotional balance and strength. For many people, core work is associated with tedious and unpleasant exercises, like … Continued