LauraGYoga

All Things YOGA...(and some inspirational quotes, hiking, camping, travel,health, mindfulness meditation, environmental awareness, and dogs mixed in!)

[lauragyoga]

The Spring Anatomy Workshop series is coming up! As we stare the next round of Yoga Teacher Training Feb. 21 st @hummingbirdyoganj we are opening up the anatomy & Body Science segment up to anyone that wants to understand how yoga interacts with the body 👈 after LOTS of work converting my lectures to video format.. The online primer course will be available next week on Udemy to start with the Language of Anatomy and the BONES + JOINTS 😄#yoga #anatomy #yogaanatomy #anatomyforyogateachers #yogateachertraining #ytt #bodyscience #bones #joints #yogaworkshop #continuingeducationforyogateachers #continuingeducation #yogaalliance #yacep (at Linwood, New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8ZL-M-H5QM/?igshid=1ci9g4ryunmr9

[lauragyoga]

Yoga is not perfect- there are issues in yoga like everything else & one of the ways we perpetuate these issues... rigid teachings that are passed down without question. I have heard so many times that yoga is "ancient & it is a perfect practice" and therefore we should never change it, let it evolve or try to update it. I think that is ridiculous. 👉 people do not live the same lives today as we did 50 or 100 years ago. We know more about the body and how it works today and we are learning more every day. 💥Why not acknowledge these changes and allow the practice to reflect it, instead of staying stuck. 💥 I always come back to the phrase: when you know better you do better. As we know more about the body we can teach better ways to care for it. FUNCTION over DOGMA 👍 if you have a teacher or lineage that does not allow or encourage you to ask WHY...you need to go somewhere that does. RUN ...dont walk 😱 toward a space where critical thinking and problem solving is valued 😄 #yoga #yogaisnotperfect #evolutionofyoga #modernyoga #lineage #yogateacher #dogma #dogmaticyoga #yogateachertraining #yogacontinuingeducation #yogatherapist #criticalthinking #problemsolving #lauragoellneryoga #lauragyoga (at Linwood, New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8RiUNJHwdF/?igshid=1j8puhdqjzd3j

[lauragyoga]

💥FUNCTIONAL💥As an Occupational Therapist this is one of my favorite words! How does this (movement, exercise, posture or tool) improve a person's function? How do the elements of yoga practice impact how a person is able to FUNCTION in the rest of their day? In a world where social media is pushing asana toward the realm of contortion I constantly come back to the question of WHY? 👉 WHY are we doing this posture? What function does it serve...will they be able to get up off the floor more effectively, will this prevent falls, does this improve body awareness...? Or is it just a fancy shape? 🙌 Sometimes the function of a movement is just to have FUN and be PLAYFUL 😄 because that is an important part of stress relief 👍and we all need more of that to be connected to our daily experiences. #yoga #occupationaltherapist #yogatherapist #yogatherapy #functionalmovement #otr #functionalyoga #why #modernyoga #stressrelief #fun #play https://www.instagram.com/p/B8PMMmLn0zK/?igshid=16sydhho4vfmn

[lauragyoga]

View this post on Instagram

Why Study Anatomy for Yoga? To understand INDIVIDUAL VARIATION! Not everyone has the same bone structure, joint surfaces are not all the same and proportions are different from person to person...and that impacts the way we move 👉👉 "Structure Dictates Function" 👈👈 So when you look at a picture of a bone or a skeleton in a book keep in mind that is a "perfect" looking skeleton and it is not what your students are working with...they are all slightly different! 💥 This makes sense when you look at actual human bones and see how different they can be 👉 go on Paul Grilly's website & look at his amazing BONE pictures to really understand the importance of INDIVIDUAL VARIATION & how that shows us thare are no universal alignment principles that will work for all yoga students! (Also why it is important to work on your CRITICAL THINKING & PROBLEM SOLVING skills ) #yoga #anatomy #anatomyforyogateachers #neverstoplearning #ytt #onlinecourse #individualvariation #bones #yogateacher #yogateachertraining #modernyoga #knowyourbody #yogatherapist #occupationaltherapist. #udemy https://www.instagram.com/p/B8MKcLLH_AL/?igshid=1u6h85pywvdg

[lauragyoga]

View this post on Instagram

Why Study Anatomy? - so you see that all the systems are interconnected! It is not just about muscles & bones- all the body systems work together & therefor yoga impacts all the systems (and the state of our body systems will impact how we practice yoga). 👉We break up the body into parts so we can study and learn effectively without it being too overwhelming- BUT just keep reminding yourself no system works alone- they rely on and influence eachother. #yoga #anatomy #yogaanatomy #yogavideo #anatomyforyogateachers #bodyscience #bodysystems #connection #interconnected https://www.instagram.com/p/B8APo1AnkwM/?igshid=k8cgmpqk4tu3

[lauragyoga]

FREE NATURAL BREATH: if you have not read "The Breathing Book" by Donna Farhi i highly recommend you get it. She gives a much needed new perspective on working with the breath that is different from the strong manipulation of Pranayama. Instead, this type of breath awareness is about letting go of the things that prevent the breath from moving naturally and freely within our body. I love this concept because it has so much application to our daily life & it can be sooo helpful to the yogis out there that are stuck in a learned pattern of forced over breathing! #breath #breathing #yoga #pranayama #thebreathingbook #donnafarhi #freenaturalbreath #breathe #yogaquotes #yogateacher #yogatherapist https://www.instagram.com/p/B75_vfFH_zI/?igshid=13t2adaturfpe

[lauragyoga]

View this post on Instagram

WHY study ANATOMY for yoga? So you understand that it is not just about anatomy - it is about all the body sciences- physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, psychology, biology...all these fields come together to help us better understand how the body works and how yoga impacts the body & how knowing about the body impacts the way we teach/practice yoga. #yogaanatomy #yogateachertraining #yogateacher #yoga #yogatherapist #yogatherapy #science #bodyscience #ytt #anatomy #anatomyforyogateachers #physiology #kinesiology #psychology #biomechanics https://www.instagram.com/p/B74kIF8HYKD/?igshid=t9ujrh876vv0

[lauragyoga]

GRAVITY ...not just a John Mayor song 😝 something I like to think about a lot in yoga. Gravity is always there & i think we often forget about its impact on what we are doing- but it is especially important in yoga when we change our body orientation so frequently. This impacts all sorts of things like blood pressure, breathing patterns and how challenging a movement is for the body. 💥 ASK yourself: is this movement GRAVITY RESISTED...or GRAVITY ASSISTED? 👉Think about this in standing as you lift the arms over head. 👉Then go on your back and repeat the same movement. 💥 Did it feel different?? the motion is the same ( shoulder flexion) but the difference is our body's orientation to GRAVITY!! 😱🙌 Understanding this relationship well can be super helpful in adapting movements to get what you want from them 😊 #gravity #yogaphysics #yogaphysiology #yogaanatomy #gravityassisted #gravityresisted #yogatherapist #yogatherapy #modifications #yoga #yogabiomechanics (at Atlantic City, New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7vnCFJn3eN/?igshid=gxmh8s9pi794

[lauragyoga]

View this post on Instagram

Why Study ANATOMY for Yoga Teachers?? #2: knowledge of the body becomes a foundation for PROBLEM SOLVING & CRITICAL THINKING ( one of the most important skills we can cultivate as effective yoga teachers!) When we run into those gray areas- what would you do in thos situation..."it depends"...we apply our skills of reasoning built on a foundation of knowledge about the body 💥the body is soo complex there is no way for us to know everything...therefore if we are able to reason & problem solve through issues our clients/students are having (this involves some trial & error + communication back & forth) we can work toward a solution that is good for that individual! It is not going to be the same for every one so dont seek out "rules"...work on CRITICAL THINKING! #yoga #anatomy #yogateachertraining #yogateacher #ytt @hummingbirdyoganj #criticalthinking #problemsolving #neverstoplearning #anatomyforyoga #anatomyforyogateachers #reasoning #foundationsofanatomyforyoga https://www.instagram.com/p/B7i2sVBHFqW/?igshid=x6stxi7xvm93

[lauragyoga]

View this post on Instagram

LYMPHATIC System LOVE: 💞 legs up the wall + deep breathing & abdominal massage 💥🙌 the second largest collection of lymph nodes = the abdomen! Working the abdominal area with diaphragmatic breathing, lymphatic drainage (using the hands to create pressure around the abdominal area) and the muscle pump effect from moving the body (gentle alternating movements) all work together to help our lymphatic system keep us healthy this winter 😊 #lymphaticsystem #lymphaticdrainage #manuallymphaticdrainage #MLD #certifiedlymphedematherapist #legsupthewall #yogaforthelymphaticsystem #yoga #dontgetsick #selfcare https://www.instagram.com/p/B7YY_87nlEs/?igshid=80bj82nqzk7m

[lauragyoga]

View this post on Instagram

WHY study YOGA ANATOMY? 💥 1: to understand why there is soo much gray area! 👉 It would be way easier to say that we ALWAYS do this pose for back pain- or we NEVER do this pose if you have back pain...BUT it just doesnt work like that. 👈 The body is too complicated and there is so much variation from person to person, and there are so many different causes for something like lower back pain...soo what do you do with someone that has back pain in yoga...it completely depends on the individual situation. When we study a complex field like Anatomy & body science we start to see WHY there is so much of this gray area (and later we will talk about what to do with this). 💥BUT For now...Get comfortable with not having a hard answer because that happens often when working with humans! 💥 #yogaanatomy #anatomy #bodyscience #yogateachertraining #yogateacher #thegrayarea #yogatherapy #yogatherapist #yogaalliance #ytt (at Linwood, New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7RsGHAH6ql/?igshid=wmn0tj56uyn5

[lauragyoga]

BREATHING: yoga asana practice is rooted in mindfulness & the breath...but have you ever tried to FREE your breath? Instead of forcing an inhale or an exhale at a specific time...instead of constantly using Ujjayi breath...what if you allow the breath to move and become the observer, the same way we become the observer of the mind during meditation. 💥When i tried to do this i would constantly catch myself going back into Ujjayi- years of practice with the ocean breath have created an unconscious habit that was surprisingly challenging to let go of. I am not saying this breath practice is bad...just that it should be fully in my awareness when i do or do not use it. This is one reason i really like to change things up in my practice- it can uncover hidden habits & i learn new things! #yoga #breath #pranayama #ujjayi #ujjayibreath #yogafocus #thebreathingbook #donnafarhi #naturalbreathing #yogateacher #pranayama #breathing #betheobserver https://www.instagram.com/p/B7M85U3nq5m/?igshid=c1z0fuexe9z1

[lauragyoga]

View this post on Instagram

Back for more LYMPHATIC LOVE 💖 this time integrating Manual Lymphatic Drainage with some Muscle Pump movements of the Neck, arms and trunk, and Deep Breathing! This is a great quick sequence to get the lymph moving after being sedentary for a while. Combine with the lower body sequence from the last video & you have a good quick lymphatic routine! And some easy components to add to your yoga practice in the winter! 😊 #lymphaticdrainage #lymphaticsystem #lymph #certifiedlymphedematherapist #yogatherapist #yogaforthelymphaticsystem #yogaforimmunefunction #lauragyoga #yogavideo #musclepump #theforgottensystem (at Linwood, New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ttzqRnoKP/?igshid=67qdx50p1g9t

[lauragyoga]

The YOGA Focus PODCAST: episode 14 is about why it is important for yoga teachers to study ANATOMY & the Body Sciences.💥 If you teach Asana, breathwork or meditation techniques you are working with the human body & nervous system- you are a movement professional & you need to put the work in to have a strong foundation in understanding the body. 👈The unique position of being a yoga teacher = you need knowledge of both the physical body & the subtle body. 💫The 30 hours required by yoga alliance just scratches the surface...it is the responsibility of the teacher to seek continuing education & constantly update that knowledge. 🐙The next YTT @hummingbirdyoganj will be in the spring- details coming soon 😄 #neverstoplearning #podcast #yogafocus #yoga #yogateacher #yogateachertraining #yogaalliance #anatomy #lauragoellneryoga #lauragyoga #yogateacher #yogaanatomy (at Hummingbird Yoga NJ) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6bsMONHzc0/?igshid=1stsxnwbpy1li

[lauragyoga]

View this post on Instagram

The LYMPHATIC SYSTEM does not have an internal pump (like the way the heart moves our blood) it relies on MOVEMENT to create a "muscle pump" effect. This comes from the movement of the diaphragm in the trunk ( deep breathing) and when we contract/relax muscles in the body (like when we walk) - here are some yoga specific movement patterns that activate the muscle pump in the lower body: first clear the lymph nodes at the groin crease and then we use movement + breath to mobilize fluid 😁 #lymphaticdrainage #lymphaticsystem #inguinallymphnodes #lymphedema #certifiedlymphedematherapist #cdt #yogaforimmunefunction #yogaforthelymphaticsystem #lymphaticyoga #lauragyoga #lauragoellneryoga #yogafocus (at Hummingbird Yoga NJ) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6QvOxdnPh6/?igshid=t2d781nv7v0s

[lauragyoga]

View this post on Instagram

More Lymphatic LOVE 💖 working the arm pit (axillary lymph nodes) with Manual Lymphatic Drainage and then working the Muscle Pump effect with some shoulder & neck Range of Motion. Pair that with deep breathing and a good night of sleep 😁😎 #lymphaticsystem #lymphaticdrainage #manuallymphaticdrainage #MLD #certifiedlymphedematherapist #yogaforimmunefunction #dontgetsick #lymphaticlove #lauragyoga #lauragoellneryoga #yogafocus #theyogawhiteboard #musclepump #selfcare (at Galloway, New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6L9V2zHiB-/?igshid=1d8d5mb1j59ie

[lauragyoga]

View this post on Instagram

Manual Lymphatic Drainage: the short version- this is my go to technique as soon as i start to feel a scratchy throat or a sniffle- it helps your immune system to get in and fight off whatever is trying to make you sick...💥GENTLE circles starting above the collar bones, moving up the neck, under the ear/jaw, in front/behind the ear then reverse and work your way back down💥...repeat several times throughout the day...combine that with deep breathing, some time spent relaxing & a good night of sleep and you just might avoid an annoying cold 😁 yay Lymphatic System! 💪@pwfin this is for you! 💖 #selfcare #lymphaticdrainage #lymphaticsystem #yogafocus #dontgetsick #mld #lauragyoga #lauragoellneryoga #certifiedlymphedematherapist #clt #yogaforimmunefunction #boostyourimmunesystem (at Linwood, New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6JneVLniRo/?igshid=1un7j9cb91q9y