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
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
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
The benefits of the core get a lot of attention in the yoga and movement worlds. But are we missing out on one of the key reasons why the core body is so important? Most of the attention focuses on the need to keep the core strong and toned. More advanced approaches to core work … Continued
One of the effects of yoga postures is to challenge the joints and muscles in order to enhance strength and flexibility. This not only increases strength, stamina, and flexibility. It also engages the nervous system, enhancing neurological health, and stimulating receptors in the nervous system that slow the production of stress hormones. But when we … Continued
There may not be one pill to cure all ills, but there are simple, key tricks we can use each day that have surprisingly powerful effects on our energy, sleep, weight, appetite, inflammation, and how we feel and look overall. These tools come from the Ayurvedic tradition of self care, or Dinacharya. With his background in … Continued
High blood pressure is also known as ‘the silent killer,’ because many people don’t even know they have high blood pressure, and only discover it when it’s too late. Unregulated, high blood pressure puts us a higher risk for stroke, heart attack, kidney issues and eye problems. New guidelines on how to diagnose and treat … Continued
The psoas muscle is often talked about as one of the most important muscles in the body, because of its central location and interconnectedness with other parts of the body. The largest hip flexors in the body, the psoas muscles have many other functions which affect our health and well-being in numerous ways. The two … 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
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