The opioid crisis and the growing problem of addiction in general are among the most critical issues facing humanity today. At its root, substance use disorder stems not just from chronic pain, but far more commonly is a reflection of the mounting inability to deal effectively with life’s challenges. As a society, we are over-worked, … Continued
In our fast-paced Vinyasa yoga culture, are we missing out on one of the greatest gifts yoga has to offer? Renowned yoga teacher Judith Hanson Lasater thinks so. Deep rest has become an absolute necessity in our lives. When we emphasize moving rapidly through a series of poses, it is easy to miss out on … Continued
Increasingly, researchers are pointing to a new risk factor for chronic disease: Inflammation. Inflammation is a natural immune system defense mechanism, but when it becomes chronic, it becomes a risk factor for a host of chronic conditions, including atherosclerosis, diabetes, arthritis, thyroid issues, fibromyalgia, and more. Aging is one of the biggest risk factors for chronic … Continued
Beginning students often share common challenges. These include a lack of body awareness, and the typical physical limitations of the American body, such as tight hamstrings, tight hips, a weak back, and lack of core strength. The older the student, the more pronounced these limitations. Learning to observe and adjust your teaching to these common issues is … Continued
The most foundational yoga pose of all is Tadasana or Mountain Pose. Tadasana demands just one simple thing: that we stand with good posture in a way that supports the natural curves of a healthy spine. In our Western sedentary society, however, it’s surprisingly difficult for most yoga students to achieve correct alignment in Tadasana. … Continued
Many people with plantar fasciitis foot pain think the issue is in the feet. After all, that is where the pain is. For most people, plantar fasciitis is worst in the morning, with the first steps after getting out of bed. Massaging the soles of the feet may bring some relief, but then the following … Continued
It is no exaggeration to say that the hip is one of the most important major joints of the body. First, it is the major connecting point for load transfer between the upper and lower body. Second, the hip also plays an important role as a part of the pelvic complex implicated in the diaphragmatic … Continued
Who are we? What is the deepest essence of who we are? Are we our body with all its perfections and imperfections? Are we our emotions or thoughts, which seem to fluctuate and change from moment to moment? Are we what other people think of us? Or our goals, our values in life? The question … Continued
It’s well known that stress has a significant impact on our bodies. From muscle tension to nervous system dysregulation to hormone disruption, stress wreaks havoc on our bodies. What fewer women realize is that the effects of stress on our bodies can also affect our ability to get pregnant! The good news is that there … Continued
Which is the #1 thing you can do to calm the mind and relieve stress, enhance blood flow to your muscles, increase range of motion and physical performance, improve your posture and prevent back pain? Yes, you guessed it: Stretching. Research shows that stretching is about a lot more than “just” enhancing flexibility. It has … Continued
In our modern society we often focus on treating each ailment separately: we take one pill for headaches, another for depression, and another for high blood pressure. This targeted approach can be useful, but it fails to take into account the whole person. The human body/mind is an integrated set of systems, and no health … Continued
Forward bending yoga postures are among the most relaxing and soothing groups of yoga postures. They calm body and mind and can help us shift from a frenzied, busy mind set into a more relaxed, parasympathetic mode of functioning. But forward bends also have a little known dark side. If practiced incorrectly without reference to … Continued