While millions of Americans suffer from pain in the low back and pelvis, many back and hip issues are actually the result of sacroiliac instability (SI), i.e. an imbalance in the sacroiliac joint, which often goes undiagnosed or is improperly treated. Alarmingly, yoga practitioners appear to experience S.I. problems at a significantly higher rate than … Continued
Sirsasana (Headstand) and Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand) are often called the King and Queen of the Asana. They are beautiful and transformative postures that build strength and flexibility in the musculoskeletal body, have myriad benefits to the nervous and circulatory systems, and cultivate eka grata, the single-pointed focus that prepares the mind for meditation. And yet with great … Continued
Most people have some degree of scoliosis, characterized by a slight sideways curvature of the spine, which is barely noticeable. When scoliosis advances to a stronger curvature of the spine, however, it can become a debilitating condition. Can yoga help? In this course, Dr. Loren Fishman and Ellen Saltonstall will draw on Dr. Fishman’s groundbreaking … Continued
Do you or someone you know suffer from depression or anxiety? You’re not alone. Depression affects 121 million people worldwide. And 80% of people who struggle with depression also suffer from anxiety. Antidepressants are now one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the U.S., but are we getting any better? Yoga teaches us that … Continued
How does yoga help regulate mood? What do we know by now about the pathways through which yoga enhances well-being and makes us feel like a million dollars? And which are some of the timeless strategies that we can use in our own life, even when we’re not on the mat? In this two-part online … Continued
Everyone loses muscle strength as they get older, and because our daily activities (and fitness programs) don’t usually strengthen the pelvic floor, this part of the body is particularly vulnerable to problems. As a result, many women develop pelvic issues as they get older, including incontinence, prolapse, sexual dysfunction, and other issues rooted in the … Continued
“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it…Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light. ~ Brené Brown A popular bumper sticker notes, “Don’t believe everything you think.” As many wise visionaries have pointed … Continued
What does yoga have to do with your hormones? Plenty! Just about every yoga pose you do has an impact on the hormonal (endocrine) system in your body – making yoga a fabulous way to support this system and keep your hormones healthy. With focus and intention, we can use our yoga practice to keep … Continued
For many students proper body alignment in yoga poses doesn’t come naturally. Beginners come to yoga classes with the “baggage” of habitual movement patterns, physical restrictions, poor body awareness and lack of understanding of the purpose and form of postures. More experienced practitioners might have improper training or excessive mobility that causes them to “collapse” … Continued
The ancient yoga masters instructed us to conserve our prana so our mind would be clear and our energy vibrant. Linking breath to prana they discovered the secret to health through a process of reduction and subtlety. Yet, our modern day yoga classes have us noisily respiring at huge volumes that expend prana and may … Continued
Spinal extension and flexion each have tremendous benefits for both body and mind. When we open the front body with backbends, we counteract the effects of daily lives often spent hunched over screens and steering wheels, thus mobilizing the upper back and opening the heart in transformative ways. When we forward bend, we have the … Continued
We tend to think of meditation as a thought practice. In fact, Judith notes, meditation is a very physical practice and “enlightenment” is a corporeal experience. Meditation, when done from the point of view of body awareness instead of the point of view as thought awareness, is infinitely more powerful. In this course, renowned yoga … Continued