Low back pain is unfortunately a very common occurrence. It is estimated that 6% of North Americans are suffering from low back pain (LBP) at this moment, and about one-half of the population will suffer from it at some time over the next 12 months. Our question is – can Yin Yoga help people who have or who are prone to having low back pain? Before we can prescribe a cure, we need to understand the causes of low back pain.
To be available in early 2016, Bernie Clark’s new book Your Body – Your Yoga will describe all the sources of tensile resistance to movement and the implications and ranges of natural human variations. What this means for you and your yoga practice will be illustrated. Resistance to movement can come from short tight muscles, from contracted fascia, from shortened ligaments and joint capsules, as well as from compression – places where the body hits itself. The reality of your unique biology and biography means that universal alignment cues may not work for you. Your Body – Your Yoga will help you understand your uniqueness and will help you find the postural alignment that works for your body. Volumes 1 and 2 will introduce the What Stops Me? Spectrum and the Lower Body in detail. Future volumes will cover the rest of the body and the topics of asymmetry and proportions. As a special bonus, there will be a foreword by Paul Grilley. Stay tuned for more information in future Newsletters.
Yin Yoga Teacher Trainings
Yin is In! 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
50-hour, 7-Day Yin Yoga Teacher Trainings November 9th-15th, 2015; February 8th-14th, 2016; May 9th-15th, 2016; July 25th-31st, 2016; August 22nd-28th, 2016; November 7th-13th, 2016.
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 offered by Semperviva, 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 15th-22nd, 2015;
May 15th-22nd, 2016
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
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!)
Yin Yoga for Low Back Pain
Can Yin Yoga help people who have or who are prone to having low back pain? Before we can prescribe a cure, we need to understand the causes of low back pain.
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.
