Mother always told us to “Stand up straight.” What did she and our ancestors know about standing upright that has taken a backseat in our modern culture? They knew that good posture is intimately related to good function, which is the basis of a healthy, supple, and strong spine that can flex, twist, and extend. … Continued
Mother always told us to “Stand up straight.” What did she and our ancestors know about standing upright that has taken a backseat in our modern culture? They knew that good posture is intimately related to good function, which is the basis of a healthy, supple, and strong spine that can flex, twist, and extend. … 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 was … Continued
Developing Interoception: Creating Embodiment Through Somatic Awakening 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 … 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
Back pain is the third most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, one of the most common reasons for missing work, and the single leading cause of disability. Yoga has been shown in numerous studies to be an effective technique for preventing and relieving back pain. In fact, research has found that yoga … Continued
Most women are concerned about preventing the thinning bones of osteoporosis to lower fracture risk as we get older. But did you know that there is one factor that is an even greater risk factor for fractures than osteoporosis? We are talking about falls. “Numerous studies show that among older people falling, not osteoporosis, is … Continued
In recent years, a great deal of research attention has focused on how yoga can help enhance well-being and support a healthy mental and emotional balance. In this online course, Senior Iyengar yoga teacher Marla Apt shares the principles used in recent successful studies on yoga for depression to show how yoga asanas and other … Continued
In recent years, a great deal of research attention has focused on how yoga can help enhance well-being and support a healthy mental and emotional balance. In this online course, Senior Iyengar yoga teacher Marla Apt shares the principles used in recent successful studies on yoga for depression to show how yoga asanas and other … Continued
“ . . . no anatomical structure functions in isolation, and the mechanical load anywhere in the body is distributed through a continuous network of fascia, ligaments and muscles supporting the entire skeleton. . . focusing on singular anatomical structures to comprehend lumbopelvic pain, rather than considering the spine and pelvis as an integrated, interdependent … Continued
Although we rarely pay attention to them, the pelvic floor muscles play many important roles in the body. The pelvic floor muscles form a vital part of the core muscles, support the abdominal organs within the pelvis, help regulate bladder and bowel function and add to sexual function. Most people have heard of the consequences … Continued
We are all born with different propensities that determine how we interact with the world around us. The more we are familiar with these, the more we can work with our innate tendencies, rather than trying to fit ourselves into patterns and expectations that are not natural to us. Most people are familiar with enneagrams, … Continued
Midlife carries the unavoidable conception of “winding down,” of slowly losing our physical and cognitive abilities from age 40 and on. Fortunately, we now know, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are numerous ways we can impact the trajectory of how the second half of our life unfolds. In this online course, yoga … Continued
Midlife carries the unavoidable conception of “winding down,” of slowly losing our physical and cognitive abilities from age 40 and on. Fortunately, we now know, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are numerous ways we can impact the trajectory of how the second half of our life unfolds. In this online course, yoga … Continued
We are all born with different propensities that determine how we interact with the world around us. The more we are familiar with these, the more we can work with our innate tendencies, rather than trying to fit ourselves into patterns and expectations that are not natural to us. Most people are familiar with enneagrams, … Continued
The growing understanding of fascia – the connective tissue of the body – is transforming the way we view the body and what it takes to stay healthy. We know now that fascia plays a key role for not just our structural health and well-being, but for numerous aspects of our health and our ability … Continued
The growing understanding of fascia – the connective tissue of the body – is transforming the way we view the body and what it takes to stay healthy. We know now that fascia plays a key role for not just our structural health and well-being, but for numerous aspects of our health and our ability … Continued
A Gentle Yoga Practice for Psoas Release The psoas muscle – via its close connection to the diaphragm and the fight-or-flight response – is thought to play a significant role in our mental and emotional well-being. Yoga offers many powerful ways to release chronic muscle tension in the psoas. This half-hour practice offers a number … Continued
Scoliosis affects an estimated 6 million Americans, but millions more than that have minor scoliotic curvatures of the spine, which largely goes unrecognized, but can be the source of discomfort in the spine, shoulders and sacroiliac joints. Yoga, when practiced with insight and self-awareness, is quite well suited to working with scoliosis and the pain … Continued