Working in a Treatment setting can feel daunting to teachers who don’t have experience with SUD. Afterall, the clients can be in various stages of recovery from still detoxing (fragile) through sober living (wanting to get more physically fit), the settings are generally not designed for yoga, there may be limited or no props and … Continued
The practice of yoga is intended to enhance the equanimity of body, mind, and soul. An essential vehicle for gaining the benefits of yoga is found in a spine that is strong, flexible, balanced, and receptive. In this course, renowned yoga teacher Lillah Schwartz shows how we can retain or reestablish the natural fluidity of … Continued
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
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
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
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
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
Part I: Taking Refuge – Coming Home to Ourselves We all have a great need for a place of refuge. But sadly the difficulties of today’s world can invade our consciousness at any place and at any time, mainly because of the internet. It may not actually be harder to find the way and the … Continued