A long-practicing client of mine has chronic knee pain and been diagnosed with chondromalacia (for her that means inferior, medial and lateral patella pain). She’s adapted by padding up for kneeling poses, and we have worked together diligently to address tissue…
“My doctor couldn’t find anything on the MRI, so he suggested I try yoga. He’s heard it helps.” This has been a common refrain from new clients with old injuries who have come to work with me. They are in pain,…
A few minutes before I was about to teach a recent yoga therapy class a middle-aged woman named Fran shuffled through the studio door, her shoulders slumped and demeanor apologetic. I could immediately sense Fran’s discomfort and fear that she wouldn’t…
Most people can easily identify their biceps, triceps, hamstrings or “quads.” Many may also be able to locate their “traps,” “pecs” or “glutes.” But the vast majority of people can’t pinpoint their supraspinatus. The supraspinatus isn’t the most popular or sexy…
Kayla is strong and athletic: she was a gymnast and shot putter in high school. However, as we poignantly know, even the strongest young person’s life can change radically as a result of an accident. Kayla’s car was one of five…
My painful earaches had been unwelcome visitors for years. When I finally scheduled an appointment with my physician, I was symptom free. (Don’t you hate when that happens?) He ruled out infection, fluid buildup, and detected no redness or swelling. Alas,…
The triceps sit at the back of the upper arm. In fact it is the only muscle at the back of the arm. It is called the ‘tri’ceps because it is, as the Latin clearly states, a three headed muscle. There…
Traditionally, “shoulder to the wheel” means to work hard or exert yourself. While you certainly do those things when cycling, the phrase took on whole new meaning for me this year. Bar tops, hoods, and drops could refer to an ‘interesting’…
We all store stress in various places around our bodies. Most of us store it in places like the neck and shoulders, the low back, and also in the belly. All very complicated parts of the body, and in times of acute pain, they…
The next time your client hits a performance plateau, encourage them to breathe more, not work more. Muscles need oxygen to repair and strengthen. Restrictions in the shoulder girdle, be they from injury, poor posture or generalized tension can impair breath…
