Back problems are almost epidemic in our society; in fact, chronic back pain lies at the root of the escalating opioid crisis, which has turned into a major public health issue in the U.S. Not surprisingly, the American College of Physicians now recommends that doctors recommend self-care techniques like yoga and Tai Chi for back … Continued
Are you intrigued by backbends, but not sure where to begin? Or are you concerned about a vulnerable low back or knees? Backbends are an important and traditional part of asana practice. However, many yoga practitioners struggle with them, especially students with a sedentary lifestyle, which contributes to slumped posture, tight hips, and compressed internal … Continued
What are forward head posture and hyperkyphosis and why should you care? In the last few decades, researchers have become increasingly interested in the health effects of a posture on our health. And, what they are discovering is pretty remarkable. You may have heard of the new concept of ‘text neck’– which is essentially forward … Continued
In traditional Hatha yoga, asanas (postures) are often practiced with the intent to reach a “full expression” of any given pose. This approach, however, often precludes developing a more intuitive relationship with the body, thus bypassing important internal messages for self-correction that lead to more nourishing and generative choices for everyday lifestyle. Gentle Somatic Yoga … Continued
Most yoga students think of yoga as the physical postures of asanas or the breathing practices of pranayama. However, in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra we are introduced to the Yamas and Niyamas, the ethical guidelines for all practitioners. In other words, the classical teachings of yoga begin not with asana, but rather with the guidelines for how we … Continued
Every body is unique. This can present a challenge to yoga teachers and practitioners, not only in terms of adapting to ability, but also figuring out how to deal with muscle tightness, weakness, over flexibility, and other common asymmetries. In this 6-part course, yoga therapist Shy Sayar addresses key approaches that can help us and … Continued
Restorative yoga can be a gateway to deep relaxation and the cultivation of mindfulness. Enter, enter!” —Jon Kabat Zinn, Ph.D. in Relax & Renew: Restful Yoga for Stressful Times by Judith Hanson Lasater We work very hard in our lives, and while we may sleep, we rarely take time to rest. Restorative yoga poses help us learn … Continued
Informal surveys indicate that the highest percentage of yoga injuries come from forward bending postures. One likely reason is that numerous biomechanical factors impact the safety of forward bends. These include not just tight hamstrings, but many other interactive anatomical and kinesiological factors, which most yoga teachers have not been trained to observe or correct. … Continued
Every person that comes to a yoga class has her own unique challenges and needs. One student can’t raise her arms up because she has tight shoulders, another one cannot be on his knees because of previous injury, and so on. As yoga teachers, we need to be able to give those students pose options, … Continued