How to Apply Skeletal Variation to Yoga Teaching
Skeletal variation is a term popularized by Paul Grilley, the founder and developer of Yin Yoga. It
Yoga Cueing for Students of All-Levels
When I first started teaching yoga, I would offer three options to make it an “All levels̶
How to Apply Skeletal Variation to Yoga Teaching
[caption id="attachment_4096" align="alignleft" width="300"] yoga-assist-cueing[/caption] Skeletal variation is a term popularized by Paul Grilley, the founder and developer of Yin Yoga. It means that every single person has a unique bone and joint structure, which in turn, can make some yoga, poses easier and some poses more difficult than others depending on one’s unique structure. Some poses will be non-accessible to certain bodies regardless of how much yoga they do. This does not mean we don’t try yoga, it means that some of us will find it easier. Understanding our body’s limitations informs us of the endpoint of our flexibility. When you understand how and where to sense the difference between bone-to-tissue (compression) versus the muscular resistance (tension), you will begin to know what the sensation in your body is...
Yoga Cueing for Students of All-Levels
When I first started teaching yoga, I would offer three options to make it an "All levels" class. It was the classic option; "Choose to do a childs pose, a downward facing dog or a Vinyasa (plank-chaturanga-updog-down dog)" cue. Teaching an all levels class is not easy! Teachers are remembering their sequence, their theme, observing students for safety and accessibility, assisting students and, keeping the pace of breath to name just a few things. So to add in the three choice option above is a good start for an all levels class. If you've been doing that for a while, you are ready for more! One of the many nuggets of wisdom I've learned from teaching Yoga teacher trainees is to know the steps of each pose from beginner...
The First Sutra – Atha Yoga Anushasanam
Atha Yoga Anushasanam The first sutra of Patanjali yoga sutras is one the most essential pieces of knowledge. Niscala Joy Devi’s translation is: “With humility, an open heart and mind, we embrace the sacred study of yoga” This translation suggests that you are required to be open. If you think you have nothing to learn, then you will not gain the “aha” that comes with realizing knowledge. If you are closed in either your heart or your mind, the knowledge has nowhere to land, no space to be experienced. Being humble and open to what IS is key. I believe this is one of the reasons I experienced a higher state of consciousness, I was open, I was aware that I had a lot to learn. As my dad says, unless you’re...
What is Biotensegrity in Yoga?
Biotensegrity is a term coined by an orthopedic surgeon, Stephen Levin who applied the model of tensegrity to the human body. Tensegrity is a term coined by Buckminster Fuller who described architecture as a balance of discontinuous compression elements combined with continuous forces of tension in your body. Imagine how a bridge uses tension and compression forces in its construction. Another example of tensegrity would be: A weighted bicycle wheel. Can you visualize how the wheel changes shape when you sit on it? The wheel becomes stronger with the constant tension of compression on it and yet as the wheel moves the compression upon it varies or is discontinuous. 1 So what does this have to do with Yoga? Biotensegrity suggests that your muscles and bones, what we previously considered...
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