Exploring Shoulder Anatomy

Back, Chest, Low Intensity, Myofascial Release, Pain Care Yoga, Shoulder, Thoracic Spine, Upper Body | 0 comments

Yin & Myofascial Release

Exploring Shoulder Anatomy: A Deep Dive into Yin Yoga and Myofascial Release Techniques

You might think you know the intricacies of your shoulder anatomy, but this practice will take you to a depth of understanding that you’ve never reached before. We’re not just talking about the surface-level stuff; we’re diving right into the complex details of your shoulder anatomy. We’re also discussing how increased blood flow, nervous system benefits, and a temporary effect of increased muscle extensibility are the real benefits of the techniques we explore in this pod practice. In essence, we’re debunking some myofascial release myths while embracing the REAL benefits of these practices.

Anatomy Of The Shoulder – Experientially

We’re breaking down the anatomy of the shoulder, using traditional Yin Yoga postures, self myofascial release techniques and breathing exercises, all designed to help you release tension gently through embodied awareness. For the the Yin Yoga teachers out there, this practice will amplify your knowledge of the shoulder anatomy in ways that reading a text book never could.

So join me for this pod practice and allow me to guide you on this intriguing exploration of your body’s shoulder anatomy through the lens of Yin Yoga and self-myofascial release techniques.

Props needed: bolster, blocks, blanket

Thoracic Nerve Flossing

Back, Low Intensity, Pain Care Yoga, Podcast, Somatic Education, Spine, Thoracic Spine, Upper Body, Yin & Somatics | 0 comments

Yin & Somatics

Thoracic Nerve Flossing

Yoga is a bit preoccupied with muscles, Yin perhaps a bit too preoccupied with joints and connective tissues. But there is another element to healthy movement that is being influenced in our practice, in all of our movement really… that’s the nerves.

This practice puts the other tissues in a supporting role in favor of mobilizing, and gaining awareness of our nerves. Especially the ones that exit the thoracic region of the spine. We will use somatic and a bolster to gently mobilize the nerves and soften the experience of the spine.

This is a wonderful practice to return to if you frequently have a stiff or painful upper back.

Props needed: bolster, block(s), blanket

Yinversion

Back, Glutes, Hamstrings, Healthy Aging Classes, Hips, Low Intensity, Lower Body, Podcast, Yin with Creative Props | 0 comments

Yin & Creative Props

Yinversion

We don’t usually think about inversions in Yin. So to introduce them into a mild practice takes a bit of creativity and, in this case a bolster and a strap. The poses will emphasize the hips but our true purpose is to encounter something new, something novel. Throughout the practice you’ll be contemplating some features of your nervous system and learning ways to keep your brain sharp, flexible and vibrant throughout your life span.

Props Needed: Blanket, bolster or pillow, yoga strap, block

Yin & Meditation for Acceptance

45 Minutes Class, Back, Chest, Compassion, Meditation, Podcast, Shoulder, Thoracic Spine, Yin & Meditation | 0 comments

Yin & Meditation

for Acceptance

When most of us hear the word acceptance, we think of giving up or giving in. Our culture makes a virtue of resisting, fighting, wriggling out of difficult circumstances. But there is enormous value in the practice of accepting first. Acknowledging is the first step in self compassion.

This pod-practice is about moving forward with compassion, rather than squashing our feelings or disappointment or grief. We will explore poses that focus on the shoulders, chest and upper back as we progress through a gentle meditation. Our meditation is loosely based on the Tonglen or Lions’ Roar practice from the Tibetan Buddhism.

Props needed: Soft block, thick blanket and maybe a bolster or pillow if your shoulders are a bit stiffer.

Thank you to my model Rachel for demonstrating these poses!

The information on this podcast is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this podcast is for general information purposes only. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS podcast.

Rehabilitating the Body Image

Back, Hamstrings, Hips, Pain Care Yoga, Podcast, Somatic Education, Yin & Somatics | 0 comments

Yin & Somatics

Rehabilitating the Body Image

When people ask me for an elevator pitch about what I do, the quickest, most accurate answer that I can give, is that I rehabilitate body image. Most people believe that Pain Care Yoga is all about stretching. And yes, Yoga for pain care may include stretching, but it’s just one ingredient in a very complicated recipe. Each element is part of a process for building capacity and improving body image. This is a practice that includes all of the ways that I rehab body image; movement, stillness, awareness, and education.

Our practice will focus on releasing the low back, hips and hamstrings. Some of the postures and propping strategies in the practice are a little different. So I have provided image gallery of the postures below.

Thank you to my friend Rachel for beautifully modeling these poses for us.

Props Needed: Yoga bolster, 2 blocks and a blanket

The information on this podcast is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this podcast is for general information purposes only.NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS podcast.

Podcast: Getting to Know Your Back: Part 4

Anatomy Focus, Back, Low Intensity, Pain Care Yoga, Podcast, Somatic Education, Thoracic Spine, Yin & Somatics | 0 comments

Yin & Somatics:

Getting to Know Your Back: Part 4

For our final practice in this four part series, we will be working with the upper back, or thoracic region of the spine. For your exploration, I’ve borrowed a bit from a Feldenkrais Method® Lesson, the thoracic clock. If you are a movement geek like me, you will be blown away by the simple complexity of this somatic experience. Prepare to feel stuff you may not have felt in your back before. We will also be touching on one more important back related topic that can’t be ignored. The influence that society and societal norms has on our experience of our back. This is a really juicy practice and it is especially wonderful if you suffer from upper back pain.

This is the fourth episode in a short series “Getting to Know Your Back”. You are free to take the classes in any order.

Props Needed: Blanket and two blocks

The information on this podcast is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this podcast is for general information purposes only.NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS podcast.