Yoga to Open Your Shoulders
Cow Face Pose (Gomukhasana) is a staple in my morning yoga classes. Years ago, several of my students made up unflattering names for it—Cow Pie, Mad Cow, etc.—because it was so challenging for them. Now those same Cow Face naysayers have
What Makes an Effective Yoga Teacher?
Yoga instructors, let’s take a moment for honest self-study (svadhyaya). Do you teach yoga, or are you solely leading poses? What distinguishes yoga instructors from fitness instructors? How do yoga classes and fitness classes differ? What makes an effective yoga
Preventing Falls: 5 Beginner Friendly Balance Poses
Balancing becomes harder as we get older. Along with this come the fear of falling and an increased risk for osteoporotic fractures. That is why it is important to incorporate balancing poses into your fitness routine. Balancing poses train your
10 Tips to Restart Yoga Practice
The secret to longevity in yoga practice is a willingness to begin again. If you’re ready to get back on your mat and recommit to a regular rhythm of practice, you’re in good company. Getting disconnected from, and subsequently coming
Escape the Stress Loop
Over the past few weeks, I find myself alternating between the states of calm confidence and barely restrained anxiety that usually comes after watching the news. Should I try to deal with each day as it comes? Should I plan
The Gift of Presence
“When you love someone, the best thing you can offer is your presence. How can you love if you are not there?” ~Thich Nhat Hanh The only thing worse than not listening to someone is pretending to listen. Giving the vague murmur of
Warrior I Pose: 5 Strengthening Variations
Warrior I Pose (Virabhadrasana I) is an excellent pose for strengthening your whole back body, from the base of your skull all the way to the heel of your back leg. Plus, your front leg gets a different kind of
Gentle Yoga for Long COVID
Is someone close to you experiencing “long COVID”? Are you? You or that person might practice yoga for enhanced wellbeing, and have done so well before COVID arose. As a complementary treatment, might yoga for long COVID be beneficial? Of
Practice Aparigraha for the Holidays
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” You’ve probably heard this song more than once in the last few months. Big box stores, grocery stores, local shops, downtown streets—all have been broadcasting holiday music pretty much since the day
Trauma-Informed Yoga: 7 Practical Ways to Begin
“Trauma-informed yoga is not a treatment. Rather, it is an understanding of trauma, its prevalence, and how to generally accommodate people (in yoga classes) who have experienced some sort of trauma. Trauma-informed yoga offers a lens of support that makes
Slow Burn: A Somatic Approach to Exercise
I just read Slow Burn, an outstanding book by ultra-distance-running champion Stu Mittleman. In 1986, Stu set a world record by running 1000 miles in 11 days. He currently holds the US record for running 578 miles in 6 days—that’s 96
Healthy Hip Joints: Develop a Skillful Yoga Practice
For decades, my sacroiliac (SI) joint was so completely, chronically out of alignment that at times I literally could not walk. I visited various therapists—a chiropractor, massage therapist, and acupuncturist—for regular treatments. All offered temporary relief, but the pain always
Restorative Yoga with a Chair: Chill Out
In a society that’s always on the go, restorative yoga is gaining popularity due to its serene and passive nature. Restorative yoga stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which enables us to rest, digest and heal. I’ve found that practicing restorative
Wrist Pain in Yoga: Here’s How to Alleviate It
Wrist pain in yoga can feel truly debilitating. In modern-style practices, we tend to spend the majority of class time bearing weight in our arms. From ubiquitous poses like Plank Pose (Phalakasana) and Downward Facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
Sequence Your Yoga Class for Savasana
For many years, the local community put together an annual yoga fundraising event. Teachers from many of the various studios and styles team-taught a class to more than 100 students on a Saturday morning. In one of the later years