Somatic Practice: Your Daily Routine for Stiff Upper Back and Neck

30 Minute Class, Anatomy Focus, Audio, Low Intensity, Mobility Drill, Neck, Pain Care Yoga, Podcast, Somatic Education, Thoracic Spine, Upper Body | 0 comments

Somatic Practice

Your Daily Routine for Stiff Upper Back and Neck

Ever felt like you needed some extra TLC for your upper back, neck, and shoulders? You’re not alone. Come along as I guide you through an enriching somatic session, inspired by Feldenkrais method.

This is a sublime practice that will not only bring a peaceful awareness to these often cranky areas, but also provide some valuable somatic learning. Healthy human movement is variable, and the most sophisticated movers have the capacity to move globally. This practice will help you to cultivate both for comfortable movement and posture.

You will need a blanket and a bolster or pillow.

Meet the Traps

Anatomy Focus, Low Intensity, Mobility Drill, Neck, Pain Care Yoga, Shoulder, Thoracic Spine, Trapezius, Upper Body | 0 comments

Yin & Experiential Anatomy

Meet the Traps

In this practice, we unravel the potential an often overlooked and misunderstood part of our bodies. We’ll delve deep into the anatomy and function of the trapezius muscles, introducing you to a range of exercises that help you understand and experience these muscles in a whole new way. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a curious beginner, we’re sure you’ll find this exploration fascinating and useful.

In this experiential anatomy approach, I’ll guide you through a series of poses and mobility drills designed to familiarize you with the sensation of your trapezius muscles engaging and releasing. I’ll show you how to actively engage both the lower and upper trapezius muscles and teach you some innovative ways to to experience your shoulder blades, spine and neck.

All you need is a bolster, a couple of yoga blocks, a blanket, and an open mind.

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

Yin & Pranayama: Expand Your Breathing Options

Audio, Chest, Low Intensity, Podcast, Pranayama, Side Body, Somatic Education, Thoracic Spine, Upper Body, Yin & Pranayama | 0 comments

Yin & Somatics

Thoracic Expression

This practice is a blend of Yin Yoga and pranayama with a bit of somatic work sprinkled in. We will explore a breathing practice that I learned from my mentor Neil Pearson that I call, Expand Your Breathing Options.

As you engage in movement and awareness you will also contemplate the gift of breath. This is a practice that is ripe with opportunities to learn and grow.

Props needed: Bolster, blocks and blanket

Thoracic Expression

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

Yin & Somatics

Thoracic Expression

The upper back is an area that can be a big source of tension and even pain. We also have a fair amount of cultural baggage around the appropriate way to hold our upper back. Even in the Yoga world, we tend to favor a stiff and straight upper back above other shapes. But the upper back is capable of so much more, and I believe we suffer when we get locked in to a specific posture or expression.

In this practice, we explore the capacity of the upper back to generate movements, sensations and even emotions. We will use a somatic lesson adapted from Feldenkrais Method® supported by familiar Yin Poses. Your upper back and neck will really benefit from this practice.