The Mechanics of Asana: Technique for Yoga Teachers and Serious Students

“Alignment” in yoga gets a bad rap these days, and rightfully so.  There are no two bodies built exactly the same way, and there is no cookie-cutter set of cues that can ‘align’ every single body in a yoga pose.

BUT…Technique IS important. In the same way that we use technique at the gym, dance studio, or on the athletic field, there is technique in yoga that can make the poses safer and more enjoyable for you and your students. Technique takes into consideration the structural differences in individual bodies, as well as the ability of the individual student; whereas alignment is generally thought of as a template for a pose that works for all bodies.  An example of the outdated idea of alignment is the infamous “two panes of glass” instruction you sometimes hear for Trikonasana (Triangle Pose).

Understanding the mechanics of movement and the structures of the body is critical for yoga teachers and are not often considered in a 200-hour training. The study of biomechanics within yoga considers how muscles, bones, joints, and connective tissue work together to create postures, movements, and shapes.

I’d love to have you join me for this 20-hour course where we’ll cover

• Functional movement and technique for the upper body
• Functional movement and technique for the lower body
• Techniques for safety in Inversions
• Technique instructions that facilitate stability and freedom in poses
• Modifications and assists you can use to make your own practice and that of your students safer and more effective
• An asana practice each day 😊