Which brain characters are dominant in you and your students?
Many years ago, a student of mine shared his jury duty experience in a complicated court case. After taking part in a jury discussion of the evidence presented, he was[…]
Many years ago, a student of mine shared his jury duty experience in a complicated court case. After taking part in a jury discussion of the evidence presented, he was[…]
When I was first introduced to the polyvagal theory, my self-image was that I spent a lot of time in the ventral vagal (safe, connected, responsive) state. Yet I judged[…]
Shame protects vulnerability, a small voice of despair and hopelessness. Thirty years ago, I witnessed my loved one’s suffering and death. As a medical power of attorney, I was responsible.[…]
Clients come to us seeking a regulating presence. We need to be regulated to support our clients in returning to balance. Yet all of us get dysregulated. The tone of[…]
The ability to hold the space for clients who have experienced trauma requires the ability to take care of yourself and continue to refine your understanding of suffering and how[…]
Our connection with other human beings is essential to our health and happiness. Traumatic experiences can disrupt that interconnectedness, creating grief and isolation. Often clients are sitting with their story[…]
The doorway into yoga for so many westerners is asana. In my last blog, I talked about the role of asana in working with the symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Asana[…]
A painting is often a complex combination of the totality of it and the independent parts of it that come together to form the work of art. So, too, is[…]
Human suffering is universal, but everyone’s experience of suffering is unique, even for those who have been through the same traumatic event. Our role as Yoga Therapists and yoga teachers[…]
Do you have questions about working with students with chronic lower back pain? Join experienced Yoga Therapists Rachel Lanzerotti and Olga Kabel for a casual discussion of practical teaching strategies[…]
Perhaps reading this first paragraph you’ll recognize, right away, why it might challenge a Yoga Therapist to figure out how to work with a new client who has scoliosis and[…]
A new client contacts you about ongoing pain that bothers him most in the mornings and after athletics that include running. He reports, and your observations confirm, lower back pain[…]
I first heard the term “developmental practice,” and directly experienced this approach myself when starting to teach yoga for low back pain ten years ago. Developmental movement practices are taught[…]
A new client reaches out to you, saying they are suffering with back pain. It has eluded their efforts to feel better. The ongoing or recurring discomfort is keeping them[…]
When people think of the aspects of a great yoga teacher, they often conjure up the image of a soothing, peaceful voice and someone saying all the right things. And[…]
When we talk about the therapeutic aspects of yoga practice, they are often grouped by condition or symptom, such as yoga for osteoporosis, lower back pain, or better sleep. This[…]
When a new student starts private yoga sessions, we usually ask many different questions about their current state: the functioning of various physiological systems, stress levels, sleep patterns, lifestyle, mental[…]
Working with students one on one has always been my passion. I love every aspect of private yoga work—getting to know a new client; trying to figure out who they[…]
Various qualities of the dosha can become imbalanced and lead to a state of ill health. The imbalance can happen because of an excess in a particular quality within the[…]
A great big thank you to all of you who completed our Reader Survey! It gives me a glimpse into what you are thinking and what you are dealing with[…]