Although at face value the article (that inspired me to write this post) is easy to read and the tips are concise, I actually disagree with the author on several points. Please let me clarify that I'm not merely going to share my opinion, but instead use biomechanics to back this up. Anatomy requires our attention, and if we are teaching yoga, we're teaching movement. Which means a shift from the right-wrong duality of how to cue and thinking into deeper discernment. Many teacher training programs teach you how to teach what and how to do it - I like to educate my students to understand why they're paying attention in a certain way, how their body moves and functions, and help them experience their power to influence outcomes. For example, you might ask yourself, "How, as a … [Read more...]
The Great Mystery – Getting To Know Your Pelvic Floor
So many women (and men, hey, guys – welcome) I've worked with over the past decade have had some form of pelvic floor challenge. Yet many of them couldn't – or wouldn't – name it and make it known. A different issue brings them to their first private session, and over time we unravel the story and clues in their body – and often end up right back at the center, the core. We end up discovering that the pelvic floor may be a causal piece in their puzzle. I'm happy to share my passion and expertise – and bring much needed lightness and humor to this area of our anatomy, health and lives. My certification and studies in The Franklin Method dramatically increased my own embodiment and performance, and has served me well in helping my clients with similar areas of concern. The pelvic … [Read more...]
3 Yoga Alignment Cues to Reconsider
For Yoga Teachers I recently read an article on Yoganonyomous that made me cringe a little. Although at face value the article was easy to read and the tips are concise, I actually disagree with the author on several points. Please let me clarify that I'm not merely going to share my opinion, but also use biomechanics to back this up. Anatomy requires our attention, and if we are teaching yoga, we're teaching movement. Which means a shift from right-wrong duality of how to cue and thinking into deeper discernment. Have you heard these cues before? 1) "Keep your front, bent knee at 90 degrees" for warrior and other wide standing poses 2) "Shoulders down and back at all times even with arms overhead" 3) "Inhale now - exhale" or breathing prescribed with certain … [Read more...]
Anatomy for Asana: Tip #3
Top 4 Anatomy-Based Tips for Asana You teach, you're trained - and YET - you have serious questions about cueing / anatomy / alignment. Or you feel like you've been taught cues or imagery that doesn't feel like it works in your body - or your student's bodies. Cues that create pain or excess tension, you find yourself holding your breath trying to make sense of an instruction or wrestling your body into it. Or it just doesn't feel good - solid - sound - Alive and Dynamic. You don't want to teach what you were told - you want to teach from what you can feel, image and understand deeply in your own practice, right? Here is Tip #3: 3) Asymmetry is Necessary I love the pelvis. And my low back. And my hip joints. And I want them to last, thank you, so I can run marathons and … [Read more...]