Transform your own personal practice and improve your ability to “read” your student’s practice as you learn how to integrate the knowledge of anatomy and physiology into yoga asanas, pranayama and meditation. Learning anatomy has the capacity to deepen your experience of each posture and to learn how to get the most optimal stretch or engagement of your body.  Understanding the principles of alignment enables you to offer your students modifications and variations rather than forcing the body to fit into a preconceived shape. This workshop will leave you with an improved ability to help your students deepen their experience of each posture.  Although the focus will be on the principles and understanding of our physical anatomy, the subtle anatomy of the energy body will also be addressed.

This is an experiential course where we explore the major bones, muscles and joints and how they relate to yoga practice. Through discussion, observation, exercises, and practice of specific asanas, you will learn the location and function of the key anatomical regions of the body. By employing these techniques, you will become proficient at understanding and identifying imbalances in your practice as well as your students' practice, enabling you to offer appropriate modifications. Common stresses and injuries for each part of the body will be addressed. You will learn how to apply asana therapeutically for specific injuries, as well as modifications (providing appropriate hands-on support and protection) to maximize the healing and strengthening that is possible from the practice of yoga.  The impact of pranayama and meditation on the nervous system will also be addressed.