The psoas muscle is often talked about as one of the most important muscles in the body, because of its central location and interconnectedness with other parts of the body. The largest hip flexors in the body, the psoas muscles have many other functions which affect our health and well-being in numerous ways. The two … Continued
Traditionally, core training has focused on muscle strengthening and not nervous system learning. However, core training really should be about learning new movement patterns, and in particular, learning how to move from our power center, notes Dr. Staffan Elgelid, P.T., Ph.D. A yoga therapist and physical therapist widely respected for his work with athletes, Staffan’s … Continued
Have you seen those beautiful, deep back bending postures in yoga publications, on Instagram and so on? They might seem like a “gold standard” when it comes to back bends; but in reality the effectiveness of your backbend has NOTHING to do with how far you can curve your spine. In fact, the deeper you … Continued
Each day we must work our spine in order to keep it strong and supple. Given that there are 26 bones in the vertebral column and 48 interlocking joints, each of us must spend time mobilizing and stabilizing our spine. In this course you will learn the importance of balancing the spine and intervertebral spaces. You will gain … Continued
While a bottle of wine can sit in a cellar for years improving with age, the same cannot be said of humans. In fact, a sedentary adult may experience as much as 30 to 40 percent loss of muscular strength as a result of reduced levels of muscle mass between the ages of 30 and … Continued
You may have already heard lots about the psoas, and why it’s so important to release tightness in the psoas muscles. The psoas muscle has long been recognized as central to balanced posture and movement. Imbalances in the psoas are often implicated in cases of lower and mid back pain, groin pain, hip pain, and … Continued
Back problems are almost epidemic in our society; in fact, chronic back pain lies at the root of the escalating opioid crisis, which has turned into a major public health issue in the U.S. Not surprisingly, the American College of Physicians now recommends that doctors recommend self-care techniques like yoga and Tai Chi for back … Continued
Imagine feeling limber and energetic—like you did as a child—even when you are a senior. It’s possible, and fluidity is the key. This course will show you how building fluidity into your movement automatically expands range of motion and helps prevent injury. You will learn how to build fluidity into everyday movements for daily benefit, … Continued
Are you intrigued by backbends, but not sure where to begin? Or are you concerned about a vulnerable low back or knees? Backbends are an important and traditional part of asana practice. However, many yoga practitioners struggle with them, especially students with a sedentary lifestyle, which contributes to slumped posture, tight hips, and compressed internal … Continued
Back pain is the third most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, one of the most common reasons for missing work, and the single leading cause of disability. Yoga has been shown in numerous studies to be an effective technique for preventing and relieving back pain. In fact, research has found that yoga … Continued
Do you struggle with recurring back pain in spite of your best efforts? Research shows that 80% of people with back pain get relief from yoga. However, practicing yoga without a back care perspective can actually lead to injury. And with so many different approaches to yoga, it’s difficult to know which approach would best … Continued
Everything that we do in our everyday lives is dependent on our posture. Our ability to lie down, sit, stand, and walk in comfort is directly related to the template of centered body posture. Every yoga posture or athletic activity is an expression of the clarity and refinement of this most basic relationship of our … Continued