Traditionally, core training has focused on muscle strengthening and not nervous system learning. However, core training really should be about learning new movement patterns, and in particular, learning how to move from our power center, notes Dr. Staffan Elgelid, P.T., Ph.D. A yoga therapist and physical therapist widely respected for his work with athletes, Staffan’s … Continued
Have you seen those beautiful, deep back bending postures in yoga publications, on Instagram and so on? They might seem like a “gold standard” when it comes to back bends; but in reality the effectiveness of your backbend has NOTHING to do with how far you can curve your spine. In fact, the deeper you … Continued
Each day we must work our spine in order to keep it strong and supple. Given that there are 26 bones in the vertebral column and 48 interlocking joints, each of us must spend time mobilizing and stabilizing our spine. In this course you will learn the importance of balancing the spine and intervertebral spaces. You will gain … Continued
“Restorative yoga has been helpful for my patients with diverse conditions, such as back pain, neck pain, high blood pressure, asthma, migraine and tension headaches, stress-related diseases, chronic fatigue, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer.” – Mary Pullig Schatz, MD We work very hard in our lives, and while we may sleep, we rarely take time … Continued
By now it’s become an article of faith that core stability is a key element in healthy asana practice and crucial to a happy lower back. But what is the core and how do we strengthen it? Too often classes with a core emphasis focus on the superficial musculature of the front body and end … Continued
Are you plagued by chronic aches or movement restrictions in your body that persist even with a good yoga practice? In addition to finding help through chiropractic, massage or physical therapy, you can help yourself with simple yet powerful techniques that you can do right at home. Myofascial release techniques are gaining popularity as a … Continued
While a bottle of wine can sit in a cellar for years improving with age, the same cannot be said of humans. In fact, a sedentary adult may experience as much as 30 to 40 percent loss of muscular strength as a result of reduced levels of muscle mass between the ages of 30 and … Continued
Gender equality has come a long way since women first got their voting rights. Sadly, however, we still have far to go before women enjoy the same economic equality, financial security, and freedom of choice as their male counterparts. Women continue to be disproportionately affected by stressful and trauma-inducing events and life circumstances. In the … Continued
We have long known that genetics play a major role in how we metabolize foods, supplements, and even life experiences. One of the most fascinating new discoveries of the human genome project included findings around the epigenome, i.e., a record of chemical changes to the DNA, which modulate the expression of your genes, and therefore … Continued
Feeling restless, wound-up, or constantly on edge? Or do you feel you worry all the time, have difficulty concentrating, are overly irritable and emotional, and easily fatigued? These are all symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety affects us all at one point or another. But when we struggle with it constantly, it can infringe on our sleep … Continued
You may have already heard lots about the psoas, and why it’s so important to release tightness in the psoas muscles. The psoas muscle has long been recognized as central to balanced posture and movement. Imbalances in the psoas are often implicated in cases of lower and mid back pain, groin pain, hip pain, and … Continued
Have you ever noticed how forward bending postures have a unique ability to settle the mind and body and give us a feeling of safety and calm? Forward bends have many benefits. They can help create length and space in the spine to counteract compression, and they help stimulate parasympathetic functioning (the rest and digest … Continued