David explains why stabilization and depression of the scapulae is as important as squeezing the shoulder blades together in upward dog.
How Can I Work Backbends With Scoliosis?
David answers a question about how to work backbends with scoliosis. He shares some tips for focusing on the hip flexors to evolve your backbend.
Should You Contract Or Relax The Glutes In Urdhva Dhanurasana?
This month David answers the question: Should you contract or relax the glutes in urdhva dhanurasana? He explains why the answer should always be specific to the student.
Low Back Injuries In Yoga: What Are Practitioners Experiencing?
When are yoga practitioners most at risk for low back injuries? David reports on the experiences of our survey of 2000+ practitioners regarding low back injuries in yoga.
Deep Six Lateral Rotators
This month I’m highlighting the deep six lateral rotators. The deep six lateral rotators are a powerful group of muscles that move the hip. Take a look at where these muscles attach, what actions they do, and how they are used in yoga practice.
Turning Your Feet Out When Doing a Yoga Dropback?
The inspiration for this month’s article comes from a question posed in an email. The question, from Catherine, asks specifically about keeping the feet straight in a yoga dropback. For those of you not sure what a drop back is… it’s when you stand at the front of your mat and drop into a backbend.
Your Shoulders in Upward Facing Dog
This is a play off an article I wrote for the newsletter back in May. That one was titled Your Shoulders in Downward Facing Dog. There are perhaps as many variations in what we are told to do with our shoulders in upward facing dog and it is sometimes just as confusing for students.
To Squeeze or Not to Squeeze? Upward Facing Dog
This month’s newsletter article comes out of a recent trip to the Midwest. I was at a new studio with new students and hosts. This piece is actually a request from one of the hosts, Evan at Tapas Yoga Shala. The question arose; Should we squeeze or not squeeze our butt in upward facing dog? As always on the first day of practice, I mostly watch and get a sense for what I want to work on with any of the students over the course of the 5 days of mysore classes.
