Volume #133 – September 1, 2026

A student walks into your yoga class and tells you she has osteoporosis. Or glaucoma. Or hypertension. Do you know what she should and shouldn’t do? Should you? There are hundreds of medical and psychological conditions that may show up in a yoga class, and no teacher can possibly be an expert in all of them. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep learning. We should understand the practices we teach, know important contraindications and warning signs, and recognize the limits of our competence. But we are yoga teachers, not doctors. Sometimes being a responsible teacher means being able to say, “I don’t know.”

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In this series of “A Closer Look at Alignment Cues” I hope to illustrate why aesthetics are irrelevant, while a functional approach to alignment, one which honours natural variations between students, is healthier and safer. This is not to say that alignment is unimportant or irrelevant but to show that there are no universal principles of alignment that work for every body. In this inaugural article we will examine the cues often offered for wrist extension  

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It’s challenging to learn about yoga when there is so much information conveyed in a language that often seems foreign. Join Todd McLaughlin and Bernie Clark as they discuss a wide range of topics: a functional approach to yoga practice; the importance of stability before mobility; the reality of human variations; how to interpret pain signals; reflections on the overemphasis on extreme poses; and the cultural fascination with flexibility. Instead they urge a more balanced, health-centric approach to yoga.

Listen to the podcast

This comprehensive on demand, online training will immerse you in the techniques, theory, and teaching of Yin Yoga. Guided by Bernie Clark and Diana Batts, you’ll explore the foundations of the practice from physiological, energetic, and psychological perspectives. Through a blend of lectures, demonstrations, and guided practice, you’ll learn how to safely experience Yin Yoga yourself—and how to confidently share it with others. Whether you’re a yoga teacher, therapist, or dedicated practitioner, this course will deepen your understanding and expand your skillset.

Learn more or to register

The digital version of Functional Anatomy is the recorded version of the live course. This On Demand 30-hour version goes beyond the basic information about anatomy and physiology offered in most Yoga Teacher Trainings. The focus is on how the body moves and, more importantly, what limits movement, when these limits can be extended and when they should be accepted. What is uniquely fun about this course is that you will be exploring your own body’s ranges of motion.

To learn more and to order the course visit either Asana at Home or Yogaversity.