One of the inevitable changes of aging is a gradual loss of the ability to balance. While this may at first seem insignificant, it is a key factor in the increased risk of fractures people face as they get older. Most fractures of the hip, wrists, or ankle are preceded by a fall, and the … Continued
In this course Dr. Timothy McCall will provide an overview of the emerging field of yoga therapy: the use of yoga and its vast toolbox to help treat virtually any health condition — physical or psychological. Yoga therapy has grown enormously in the last several years, there are ever-increasing numbers of scientific studies examining its effectiveness, … Continued
Moving from the Organs – The Many Benefits of Twisting Postures We often focus on practicing our poses from the spine, arms and legs. But the ancient teachings of yoga also dealt with opening and quieting the organs of the body, like the heart, kidneys and liver that are found in the “kunda” or vessel … Continued
Most people know the importance of core strengthening for health and long-term well-being, but the pelvic floor is an important group of core muscles, which tend to get ignored. “The torso is like a tote bag for your organs,” says Leslie Howard, a Bay area yoga teacher who conducts workshops nationally on pelvic floor strengthening to … Continued
Every pregnancy is different, even for the same the woman. The journey can be both exciting and daunting, especially when trying to safely navigate an ever-changing body through the trimesters. The key to confidence in pregnancy is learning how to utilize the gifts of yoga to better support a woman’s body, mind and heart. So … Continued
Many yoga classes speak about the benefits of hip “opening”, and yet surprisingly, the most common injuries in yoga are related to the hips – back pain, QL issues, piriformis syndrome, labrum tears, SI Joint and knee issues. This begs the question – what are we actually doing in hip openers? It is a little … Continued
Scoliosis affects an estimated 6 million Americans, but millions more than that have minor scoliotic curvatures of the spine, which largely goes unrecognized, but can be the source of discomfort in the spine, shoulders and sacroiliac joints. Yoga, when practiced with insight and self-awareness, is quite well suited to working with scoliosis and the pain … Continued
If we can let go of our preconceptions and dive into the level of pure, experienced sensation, we can begin to experience the world as it truly is: an unlimited expanse of vibration; a contraction of the awareness in which it lives. This is the focus of BodySensing Yoga. In this course Dr. Richard Miller introduces … Continued
The number of people with hip replacement is on the rise, and the largest increase is in the 45-54 age group. If you’re a yoga teacher looking to keep your students safe and/or attract more students for privates, it’s essential to learn how to teach yoga safely to this group of people. And, if you’re … Continued
The effect of yoga on the nervous system is one way we can understand the truly integrative approach of yoga to health and well-being. The nervous system is our communication network through which we respond to internal and external stimuli and through which we work to maintain a homeostatic environment within our body. The effects … Continued
If your neck is chronically tense and tight, and if the muscles in your upper back and shoulders feel as hard as a rock, you’re not alone. In our high-stress, hurried, 24/7 world—filled with work deadlines, financial pressures, terror alerts, and sleeplessness—many of us feel the weight of the world on our shoulders. Add to this … 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