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 now know that muscles don’t work in isolation and instead form part of an intricate fascial web that connects and wraps around the body in lines of meridians that influence movement. Whole body movement practices like Feldenkrais, Yoga, Gyrotonics and Tai Chi already work with these lines. SomaSensing is a simple somatic movement practice … Continued
Ana’s Easy Does It series invites you to reawaken your relationship with your body. This series is designed to re-energize, refresh, and empower. Awakening Your Body In this first practice of the Easy Does It series, Ana invites you to reawaken your relationship with your body by asking, what part of this can I do? … Continued
In this course with Judith Hanson Lasater, you will learn how to practice yoga twists safely and effectively to receive the benefits of these powerful yoga poses. Judith will explore how you can use twists to promote a healthy balance for the organs in the chest and abdomen, as well as explore the theories of why … Continued
Can yoga practice predispose you to sacroiliac (SI) joint pain? In her travel and teaching around the world, renowned yoga teacher Donna Farhi has found that SI joint issues are one of the most common complaints that she sees in yoga practitioners. Can yoga practice predispose you to sacroiliac (SI) joint pain? In her travel … Continued
The pelvic floor is literally the foundation for our whole body: it sits at the bottom of our torso and forms the floor for all our organs. It serves as the base for our core musculature and plays a crucial role in our overall postural and functional health. Because of this, when the pelvic floor is … Continued
The growing understanding of fascia – the connective tissue of the body – is transforming the way we view the body and what it takes to stay healthy. We know now that fascia plays a key role for not just our structural health and well-being, but for numerous aspects of our health and our ability … Continued
Mother always told us to “Stand up straight.” What did she and our ancestors know about standing upright that has taken a backseat in our modern culture? They knew that good posture is intimately related to good function, which is the basis of a healthy, supple, and strong spine that can flex, twist, and extend. … Continued
The ability to balance is essential for numerous aspects of daily living, and it is a prerequisite for retaining mobility and independent living, no matter what our age. Balance problems increase over time, and so does the risk of injurious falls. About one third of people over 65 fall each year; at 80 years, one out … Continued
In an increasingly Vinyasa-oriented yoga world, the lower body often doesn’t receive as much attention as it should. The feet, legs and hips are crucial elements of a well-rounded practice and need to be as strong, mobile and intelligent as the upper body. When we cultivate these elements, the effects can be felt throughout one’s … Continued
This three-part series delves into the mysteries of the asymmetrical spine to find ultimate harmony for those with asymmetry and scoliosis. The fascial lines ideally spiral and wrap around the entire body like long glorious vines of life. Chakra energy likewise spirals up the spine optimally creating harmony and balance. Yet, looking closely, what appears symmetrical … Continued