3 Things I Learned from a Weekend with Spine Biomechanic, Professor Stuart McGill
Stuart McGill, a professor and director of the Spine Biomechanics Laboratory at the University of Waterloo, and renowned authority on lower back disorders, has for over 30 years been researching the way problems can arise in the spine, and how best to prevent, heal and strengthen the back. I have been aware of his work for some time, having read his books long ago. When the chance came to study with him in person, I jumped: I attended a weekend workshop with Stu and what I learned changed the way I looked at working the spine in our yoga practice.
This month we continue to look at books about yoga or books that have nothing to do with yoga, but can help us on our journey. Often the books being reviewed are ones that you will never have heard of, books that are not on Amazon’s list of “The Ten Top Yoga Books.” But they are books that are valuable.
This month we look at Low Back Disorders by Professor Stuart McGill.
Whether you are a new or seasoned yoga practitioner, the names of yoga classes on any given studio schedule can be confusing. In light of this, I will attempt to answer some of the key questions I’ve received about yin yoga over the course of teaching this practice and running a yin yoga teacher training.
Yin is In! And, it is growing in popularity. Yin Yoga has been with us since the beginning of Hatha Yoga centuries ago. But since the early 19th century, yoga has become more and more yang-like in nature. Everything requires balance: yin completes yang. Yin Yoga is the balancing practice for the more active, muscular yang yogas. There are more and more teachers offering Yin Yoga today, and more workshops and opportunities to learn how to become a Yin Yoga teacher. If diving deeper into the yin-side of life is on your bucket list, there are lots of opportunities for you.
Upcoming Trainings and Retreats with Bernie Clark
A 60 hour, 7-Day Yin Yoga Teacher Training & Retreat June 28th to July 5th, 2015
Now open for registration! Our annual retreat will be at the lovely Sea-to-Sky Retreat Center (SSRC) and it always sells out early. Visit SSRC 2015 for more information and comments from past attendees.
50-hour, 7-Day Yin Yoga Teacher Trainings Feb 9th-15th, 2015; May 11th-17th, 2015; July 27 – Aug 2, 2015; August 24th-30th, 2015; November 9th-15th, 2015.
All of these will be at the Semperviva Yoga Studios, in Vancouver, Canada. The Yin Yoga Teacher Training Program offered at the Semperviva Yoga College is a unique way to deepen your yoga practice and touch tissues rarely worked in a more active yang style of yoga. For 200 hour certified teachers the credits of the course can be applied towards the 500 hour certification, and are eligible for CEUs with Yoga Alliance. (CEUs = Continuing Education Units and are required to maintain your status as a Registered Yoga Teacher).
For more details or to register, check the Semperviva web page or call them at 604-739-2009.
MEDITATION REVEALED With Bernie Clark & Nathalie Keiller November 16th – 23rd, 2014; May 17th-24th, 2015; November 15th-22nd, 2015.This course will examine what meditation is, why we do it (its many benefits, spiritually, psychologically and physically), and how to do it, from a variety of viewpoints: From Eastern Yogic and Buddhist views to Western Psychotherapeutic understanding. The course will include personal, one-on-one training in Deep Meditation, as well as group instruction, to give the student an experiential basis for the practice of meditation. Held at the Semperviva Yoga Studios – Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Learn More
What is in a name? How do the asanas get their names? Check out this thread offering a few opinions and add your own. Check out all the other latest discussions also happening on the Forum, while you are there.
If you are having trouble finding a Yin Yoga teacher near you, or if you are traveling to somewhere new, try checking out the Directory of Yin Yoga teachers. We have hundreds of teachers registered from all over the world. If you are a teacher and are not in the directory, just send us your information and we’ll be happy to add you.
Paul Grilley, Sarah Powers, and Biff Mithoefer are each planning a full load of workshops all over the world. You can check out their schedules at their home web pages:
Many teachers around the world are creating Yin Yoga based workshops and retreats. Some of them are posting these activities on our Forum page. Check it out. There may be one happening near you. (If you are a teacher, feel free to add yours to the page!)
Teacher Trainings & Retreats
There are several Yin Yoga teacher training courses being held by Bernie Clark in the coming year, including a special 40-hour course called Meditation Revealed.
Checking out Other Interesting Events
There are many teachers leading workshops, Yin Yoga retreats and Teacher Trainings. Click here to learn more.
