Sirsasana (Headstand) and Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand) are often called the King and Queen of the Asana. They are beautiful and transformative postures that build strength and flexibility in the musculoskeletal body, have myriad benefits to the nervous and circulatory systems, and cultivate eka grata, the single-pointed focus that prepares the mind for meditation. And yet with great … Continued
Most people have some degree of scoliosis, characterized by a slight sideways curvature of the spine, which is barely noticeable. When scoliosis advances to a stronger curvature of the spine, however, it can become a debilitating condition. Can yoga help? In this course, Dr. Loren Fishman and Ellen Saltonstall will draw on Dr. Fishman’s groundbreaking … Continued
Everyone loses muscle strength as they get older, and because our daily activities (and fitness programs) don’t usually strengthen the pelvic floor, this part of the body is particularly vulnerable to problems. As a result, many women develop pelvic issues as they get older, including incontinence, prolapse, sexual dysfunction, and other issues rooted in the … Continued
What does yoga have to do with your hormones? Plenty! Just about every yoga pose you do has an impact on the hormonal (endocrine) system in your body – making yoga a fabulous way to support this system and keep your hormones healthy. With focus and intention, we can use our yoga practice to keep … Continued
For many students proper body alignment in yoga poses doesn’t come naturally. Beginners come to yoga classes with the “baggage” of habitual movement patterns, physical restrictions, poor body awareness and lack of understanding of the purpose and form of postures. More experienced practitioners might have improper training or excessive mobility that causes them to “collapse” … Continued
We tend to think of meditation as a thought practice. In fact, Judith notes, meditation is a very physical practice and “enlightenment” is a corporeal experience. Meditation, when done from the point of view of body awareness instead of the point of view as thought awareness, is infinitely more powerful. In this course, renowned yoga … Continued
The ancient yoga masters instructed us to conserve our prana so our mind would be clear and our energy vibrant. Linking breath to prana they discovered the secret to health through a process of reduction and subtlety. Yet, our modern day yoga classes have us noisily respiring at huge volumes that expend prana and may … Continued
Spinal extension and flexion each have tremendous benefits for both body and mind. When we open the front body with backbends, we counteract the effects of daily lives often spent hunched over screens and steering wheels, thus mobilizing the upper back and opening the heart in transformative ways. When we forward bend, we have the … Continued
We now know that muscles don’t work in isolation and instead form part of an intricate fascial web that connects and wraps around the body in lines of meridians that influence movement. Whole body movement practices like Feldenkrais, Yoga, Gyrotonics and Tai Chi already work with these lines. SomaSensing is a simple somatic movement practice … Continued
Ana’s Easy Does It series invites you to reawaken your relationship with your body. This series is designed to re-energize, refresh, and empower. Awakening Your Body In this first practice of the Easy Does It series, Ana invites you to reawaken your relationship with your body by asking, what part of this can I do? … Continued
In this course with Judith Hanson Lasater, you will learn how to practice yoga twists safely and effectively to receive the benefits of these powerful yoga poses. Judith will explore how you can use twists to promote a healthy balance for the organs in the chest and abdomen, as well as explore the theories of why … Continued
Can yoga practice predispose you to sacroiliac (SI) joint pain? In her travel and teaching around the world, renowned yoga teacher Donna Farhi has found that SI joint issues are one of the most common complaints that she sees in yoga practitioners. Can yoga practice predispose you to sacroiliac (SI) joint pain? In her travel … Continued