The original texts of hatha yoga cite the bandhas as being crucial to having a fruitful yoga practice. The bandhas are simple yet powerful muscular actions in the area of the pelvic floor (mula bandha), lower abdominals (uddiyana bandha), head, neck and shoulders (jalandhara bandha). Their original significance centered around pranayama and the movement of … Continued
Many yoga students have posture imbalances or habitual holding patterns, which affect alignment in their practice of yoga asanas. In this course, yoga teacher and physical therapist Chrys Kub shows how to develop awareness of the common muscle imbalances that create postural dysfunctions and how to harness the power of asana to improve posture over … Continued
High blood pressure remains a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes, congestive heart failure and kidney disease in Western societies. One in three Americans suffers from hypertension, according to the CDC, and only about half of those have it under control. Millions of others, including many who turn up in yoga classes, have dangerously high … Continued
Why do issues like prostate problems (for men), prolapse (for women), incontinence, and pelvic pain disorders become increasingly common as we get older? And, is there anything we can do to prevent or slow this process? In this course, yoga teacher and yoga therapist Leslie Howard will discuss common male and female pelvic floor disorders … Continued
The ability to structure and sequence classes so that students have the best possible experience, both on the mat and afterwards, is one of the hallmarks of skillful teaching. In this course with Natasha Rizopoulos, we’ll begin with an overview of essential sequencing principles. We’ll explore the idea of sequencing as a coherent narrative arc … Continued
Kinesiology is the study of human movement. To teach with confidence and efficacy, it’s of course important to know basic kinesiological principles, such as the names, origins and insertions of the skeletal muscles. But this alone is not nearly enough. It is perhaps more important to understand how the muscles work together so that the … Continued
The breath is a powerful tool inducing greater relaxation and wellbeing, and healthy breathing affects our long-term health and how well we age. The breath is also one of the subtlest and most effective gateways to connecting to Spirit or the sacred essence of who we are. Of course today, the specter of COVID-19 in … Continued
At the heart of the practice of yoga is a very important relationship: that between the teacher and the student. The practice of yoga is a quite personal and intimate practice. Traditionally the student lived with the teacher and there were many opportunities each day for interaction and learning. Yoga teachers today face a very … Continued
The shoulder is an important joint in the body as well as an important symbol of our strength and ability to succeed in the world. The position of our shoulders instantly telegraphs our mood to the world. Because of the importance of this area in the body, many yoga poses focus either on strengthening or … Continued
Sleeping well is essential to our physical health and emotional well-being. Indeed, it doesn’t take more than a few hours of missed sleep to discover just how closely sleep is linked to our well-being and ability to function well during the day. Even Shakespeare referred to sleep as a healing balm “that knits up the … Continued
We are very pleased to welcome back Baxter Bell, MD for a workshop focused on developing “Core Integrity and Balance” using the physical postures of yoga, the breath and the focused mind to reach your goals. Core integrity typically refers to strengthening the complex group of muscles and structures in our mid-section. While this is … Continued
Learn the Details of Dr. Fishman and Ellen Saltonstall’s Unique Yoga Therapy Approach for Rotator Cuff Injuries. As a doctor specializing in Rehabilitation Medicine, Dr. Fishman has developed a unique yoga therapy approach to working with rotator cuff. Dr. Fishman has used it successfully to help more than 725 people avoid expensive and debilitating rotator … Continued