Sequencing Solutions: Strengthen your Hamstrings
QUESTION: Vinyasa yoga sequences contain much more hamstring stretching than strengthening. How can I modify my sequences to include more hamstring strengthening for my students and
Yoga and Your Core, Part I
In modern yoga, we use the word “core” incessantly. But, what does the term “core” really mean and what do our students actually hear when
Yoga Anatomy in Action: Stronger, Safer Side Plank (Vasisthasana)
QUESTION: In Vasisthasana (Side-Plank) some teachers have told me to stack my bottom arm directly under my shoulder. Other teachers have told me to place my
Yoga and Your Hips, Part 1
Yoga has made me curious about my body for more than 20 years. When I feel restriction in my outer hips during Pigeon Pose, I
The Surprising Way to Deepen Your Backbends
For a very long time I thought my backbends were tight because my back was tight. I don’t mean to humblebrag, but, uh, logic is
Yoga and Your Hips, Part II
For more than a decade, I’ve quivered at the thought of attending a hip-opening workshop. Having played ice hockey and been a skateboarder for more
Yoga and Your Core, Part II
When students register for a core-themed workshop, they expect their abdominals to be battered and bruised into next week. It’s a strange—somewhat admirable—masochism that exists
The Expert’s Guide to Chaturanga, Part I
A Shoulder Surgeon’s Perspective on Keeping Your Shoulders Safe in Chaturanga Dandasana I’ve had exceptional yoga teachers over the years, but I also love to
Yoga and Your Hips, Part III
These are, hands down, my 15 favorite hip opening yoga poses. Creating a balanced, effective hip-opening sequence is simple if you know how the hip
The Expert’s Guide to Chaturanga, Part II
Chaturanga Pose for Beginners: 5 Poses to Make Your Chaturanga Strong and Steady Chaturanga is an inextricable component of vinyasa yoga –but it’s an exceptionally
The Expert’s Guide to Chaturanga, Part III
The Best (and Worst) Chaturanga Modifications and Alternatives Yoga is for everybody. But, not every yoga posture is for everybody—including Chaturanga Dandasana. For many practitioners,
A New Take on Twists
Spring has sprung and all throughout yogaland, studios are hosting “detox flow” workshops that emphasize deep twists and side bends. And, no doubt, the vast
The Expert’s Guide To Chaturanga, Part IV
How to Do Chaturanga Transitions Safely OK, now onto the regularly scheduled program. Since writing the Expert’s Guide to Chaturanga Parts I, II & III,
The Expert’s Guide to Chaturanga, Part V
Teaching Chaturanga: Why It’s Tough to Teach — and What to Do About It Doing Chaturanga is no picnic. But neither is teaching it. In
Backbends: When and Why to Engage your Glutes
QUESTION: Some teachers tell students not to “squeeze” or “grip” their gluteal muscles (or glutes) in backbends because this will compress the sacrum and lower back.
