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.

Relieve Joint Stiffness and Pain

20 Minute Class, Low Intensity, Pain Care Yoga, Yin & Somatics | 0 comments

Yin & Somatics

Relieve Joint Stiffness and Pain

It’s a familiar story but it breaks my heart every time. For people with chronic pain, just getting out of bed in the morning can be a real challenge. Though some joint stiffness in the morning is totally normal, debilitating pain that makes you dread getting up is not normal.

There are so many reasons that pain may be worse in the morning, and we can’t cover them all here, but we will address one reason here. I envision you doing this practice in your bed! Just roll over and hit play.

Any Questions About this Episode?

Just pop them into the comments section below!

Hip Flexor Relief

Hip Flexors, Hips, Low Intensity, Pain Care Yoga, Somatic Education, Yin & Somatics | 0 comments

Yin & Somatics

Hip Flexor Relief

The hip flexors are a group of muscles on the front of the hip which include the psoas, the illiacus and the rectus femoris. These muscles flex the hip, or draw the knee up toward the torso. However, a pain care approach will never reduce an issue to just one aspect of self such as certain muscles or tissues. So this practice makes use of several pain care strategies. We will explore hip flexor pain and stiffness through the lens of somatics, stretching, awareness, neuro motor training and regulation.

This practice is intended to provide quick relief, but also serve as a framework for ongoing care for this issue.

Props Needed: Bolster, Blocks, Blanket, Strap

Deep Hip Learning

Hips, Low Intensity, Pain Care Yoga, Somatic Education, Yin & Somatics | 0 comments

Yin & Somatics

for Deep Hip Learning

The hip is more than a collection of tissues. It’s a unique and complicated element of the embodied self. In this practice we combine a somatic lesson with some of your favorite Yin poses. These will facilitate deep learning for you and your hips!

Props Neeeded: Two yoga blankets

Heartfelt Good Wishes in Practice

45 Minutes Class, Compassion, Hamstrings, Hips, Low Intensity, Podcast, Somatic Education, Yin & Somatics | 0 comments

Yin & Meditation

Heartfelt Good Wishes

This movement practice is supported by a form of meditation known as a Koan. Essentially a line of inquiry that you explore quietly. This type of meditation can lead to profound insight and transformation. Your movement will focus on the lower body with a progressive sequence of twists. This is a sweet and inquisitive practice that will leave you feeling calm and centered.

Props Neeeded: Bolster and blanket

Yin & Somatics: Stress Support

30 Minute Class, Chest, Low Intensity, Pain Care Yoga, Podcast, Shoulder, Yin & Somatics | 0 comments

Yin & Somatics

Stress Support

Chronic stress is linked to many of the most pernicious chronic diseases that plague modern humans. Managing stress is of critical importance for health, memory, learning and quality of life. We can’t change the stressful times that we live in. But there are simple, evidence informed strategies that you can use to reduce your stress in the moment, and with practice, manage your responses to stressors in the long term. In this practice we actually explore three of these strategies.

I’ve also focused our movement on the areas in which most of us hold our stress; the shoulders, neck and adductors (inner thighs).

This practice is a go to in your stress management plan.

Props: a blanket, maybe two blocks