Considering the analogy “Sitting is the new smoking” the quadratus lumborum (QL) can be thought of as the ‘lungs’ of the lower back. Yes, I am suggesting that sitting negatively affects the QL just as smoking negatively affects the lungs and…
The gluteus medius is the Jan Brady of the gluteals. I’m sure if it could talk it would say “Maximus, maximus, maximus” – everyone is only concerned about sculpting a perfectly shaped J.Lo bottom. But strengthening the gluteus medius can stabilize…
The gastrocnemius has two short heads that extend halfway down the leg where they taper into the calcaneal tendon. The gastrocs give your lower legs their characteristic teardrop shapeliness. The gastrocnemius and soleus muscle form the “triceps surae,” but while the…
If the iliacus could speak, I think it would say something like this: “Why does the psoas major get all the attention? Really, did I do something wrong? Because last time I checked, I’m a muscle too. Sure, I may not…
A few years back I was in India for an entire month to do my 200 hour teacher training. I meditated daily without any extra support from props or walls (I was in a palapa), and I had lectures all afternoon,…
The trapezius is a large diamond shaped muscle on your back that runs from the base of your skull, out to your shoulder, and down your thoracic spine. This muscle is easy to palpate as it is the most superficial of…
It’s true that Serratus Posterior Inferior is not the musclebrity that Serratus Anterior is. If you read up on yoga anatomy, or take yoga from a teacher who does, you’re most likely enamored with your Serratus Anterior (a crucial scapular stabilizer…
Here’s how I apply my deconstruction principle to teaching a pose. Before I teach Vasistasana, I take my students through a step-by-step process that prepares the body-mind for the classical pose. Each gradation can be the final destination if the previous…
Knee pain, ranging from general discomfort to consequences of traumatic injury, is one of the most common reasons people seek medical attention. Treatment often includes physical therapy and sometimes includes surgery (according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 600,000 knee…
[See Part 1 of this blog post here.] Pop star salvation: Stick our your tongue like a rock god! On Day #4 I was audible. I had one more special, two-hour Core Integration workshop to teach, all about the diaphragm, core strength, breath…
