Myofascial Yoga
I teach yoga with a focus on the fascial system. If your fascia is tight, it rules. Typical stretching strategies will not work. Tight fascia requires low loads and sustained stretches at the correct angles to encorage it to soften and return to normal functioning. It is also important to complete your movements in the best possible alignment in order to train your body how good alignment feels. Only then will your great alignment on the mat translate off the mat into daily life. Learning to approach your yoga practice with these principles in mind will accelerate your results.
Learning Yoga
As an occupational therapist, I love teaching yoga to people who have never tried yoga or believe they cannot “do” yoga. Anyone can practice yoga. I specialize in not just teaching you how to practice yoga safely and with the best possible body alignment, but helping you create a yoga practice that addresses your individual needs and is suited to your lifestyle.
It is a common misconception that you must do hours of yoga a day or week to reap the benefits. Learning and regularly practicing one or two well-chosen poses can build confidence, flexibility, strength, and stamina as well as help you manage pain and stiffness. As you are ready you can layer on new poses or breathing strategies to help you build your practice.
Yoga is not just about poses. Yoga is also about learning to breathe deeply and focus your mind. Both have a significant positive impact on your mental and emotional well-being both during and after practice. A simple yoga practice can help you improve your quality of life through improving your physical, mental and emotional wellness.
Some people prefer to practice in their own home while others prefer to practice with others in a class setting. Private yoga training can help you decide if you prefer to practice at home in solitude or if you prefer the company of others. Private one on one training can help you build confidence to establish your own practice or join a local class.
Yoga as Therapy
I am a licensed healthcare provider who uses yoga as an intervention to address pain, disabilty, health and wellness. This is different from a yoga therapist. There is some controversy in the yoga world regarding yoga therapy/therapists who are not healthcare practitioners. As an occupational therapist, I have used yoga as an intervention to treat clients to help them regain motion, balance, and strength lost as a result of injury or illness. I have used yoga as an intervention to help people reduce, eliminate and manage pain after accidents, illnesses, injuries and sometimes just life. I have designed programs around physical limitations such as being non-weight bearing on one side. People also have personal preferences such as not wanting to stretch on the floor so effective standing practices can be created. Whether you are an office employee who is on the computer eight hours a day or you are a marathon runner you are likely to develop pain at some point in your life. Yoga can be a wonderful method of moving your body to increase blood flow and heal your body.
Yoga therapy involves designing a yoga practice to target your specific concerns and help you regain strength, posture, motion or balance. Yoga therapy can work well on its own or combined with other therapies. Your body’s needs change over time depending on your activities and your stress level. Your yoga should too. Yoga therapy also involves adjusting your practice as your body’s needs change. An experienced therapist can help you get the most from your practice.
Small or Large Group Classes
I also offer small or large group classes in your home, work or community setting. Classes can be tailored to your group needs. Pricing is dependent on travel and group size. Contact me to design your yoga class.
Specialized Classes available:
Work-
- Yoga for a Healthy Back
- Yoga for the Office Athlete
- Yoga for Improved Focus
Home-
- Yoga for the Whole Family
- Parent-Child Yoga
- Partner Yoga (friends, spouses, partners, etc.)
Community-
- Yoga for Seniors
- Yoga for Vets
- Yoga for Individuals with Disabilities
- Yoga for Stress Management
Photo: My magnoila bush in early spring.