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

Yin & Somatics for Gratitude

Podcast, Somatic Education, Yin & Somatics | 0 comments

Yin & Somatics

for Gratitude

Gratitude is a practice just like any other. It requires effort, even when it’s challenging. But it’s worth it. People who commit to a more grateful existence experience better physical and mental health, more happiness and closer relationships.

For this practice we will not look outside of self but deep within to the very building block of life, the cell. We will build a foundation of embodied gratitude FOR the body. This is a live practice event and is extended to provide plenty of time for you to marinade in the poses, the movements and the meditation.

Props needed: Bolster, blocks, blanket and strap.

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.

Yin & Somatics for Falling Asleep

30 Minute Class, Podcast, Pranayama, Somatic Education, Yin & Somatics | 0 comments

Yin & Somatics

for Falling Asleep

No human can survive without the ability to engage with the world. Our nervous systems are beautifully evolved to help us to attend to our survival needs by interacting with not just the objects and situations of the natural world, but also, other nervous systems.

But the opposite is true as well. No human can survive without the ability to disengage from the world. Our nervous systems evolved platforms to help us to release what is outside of us so that we may fulfill an essential need, sleep. But so many of us, can’t disengage. We spin and spin and never seem to find that deep and restorative sleep that we need to be our best.

This practice incorporates a simple breathing practice with somatic movements and Yin poses to support falling asleep. Disengage from out there to within for a restful night of slumber.

Props needed: You can do this practice in your bed! If you do you will just need a couple of bed pillows. If you are practicing on your mat, please have a block and a blanket nearby.

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.

Podcast. Yin & Somatics: Soothe Upper Back and Neck Tension

Podcast, Yin & Somatics | 0 comments

Yin & Somatics: Soother Upper Back and Neck Tension

To be an adult is to sometimes struggle with upper back and neck tension and even pain. This is my professional opinion. Though this pain/tightness can really disrupt your life, it’s important not to get too tied up about it. This practice is to give you some go to tools for managing this suffering. Knowing that you have a way to feel better, is a medicine in its own right. Though you really feel the need to stretch these tissues, it won’t help. That is my professional opinion. There are better strategies to use, which I will show you here.

If you are a person who struggles with upper back and neck tension and pain, you will find this practice invaluable.

Props Needed: A blanket, bolster and 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.