Written by Amanda Dzengeleski
November 19th at 10:00-11:00 AM ET, Join Sam Sather, founder of Dogwood Studio, and the Insight Yoga Online Community (IYOC) for a 60-minute online dharma talk Stressful Busyness in Life. The workshop will weave in a discussion, meditation and inquiry. For those who cannot attend the live session, a recording will be available for 7 days post event. Pre-registration required through the Insight Yoga Institute. Click here to register!
Learn a balanced set of practices that safely explore skeletal and fascial variation in our November Lunchtime Learning series, Wednesdays at 11:30a-12:45p EST.
November 15th: Herbal Yoga - Stinging Nettle with Ainslee
In Person at The Parlour or Online
November 29: Ayurvedic Principles to Nourish Bones and Joints with Aviva
In Person at The Parlour or Online
Osteoporosis and Yoga Workshop is back with two dates this December: Saturday, December 2nd, 2023 and December 9th, 2023. Learn what postures to avoid and how you can modify postures to gain the same benefits and target, while being safe for your bones.
In Person is full on December 2nd, but you can put your name on Waiting List for December 2nd In Person Option OR Sign Up for December 2nd Online Option.
New Date Added on December 9th. Sign Up for December 9th In Person Option OR Sign Up for December 9th Online Option.
We have all likely been told to “stop slouching” or to “pull your shoulders back” in the name of “good posture.” While there is no ideal static posture, Bernie Clark, author of Your Spine Your Yoga, considers good posture to be “the place where there is a compromise between minimizing stress on the joints while also minimizing the work done by the muscles.” In other words, we want to find a stable posture that allows the spine to feel light, long and relaxed. In most cases, a functional posture will honor the natural curves of the spine which contributes to a large spectrum of variability.
There is not a one-size-fits-all posture that suits every body or one that is suitable all the time. Certain postures can create imbalance if not approached mindfully. When we observe “poor" posture, one that negatively impacts function, it’s often caused by the static holding of that posture for extended periods, particularly in work-related settings.
While the idea of perfect posture seems to suggest less pain and improved movement, scientific evidence does not consistently link adherence to an ideal posture with a reduction in musculoskeletal disorders. In fact, there is no universally accepted notion of perfect posture. Instead, the focus should be on seeking a posture that is functional rather than adhering to an aesthetic ideal. Our body is designed to move, and posture should be considered through a dynamic lens to reflect the body's dynamic nature.
As we move through space, our body must constantly reorient to maintain our center of gravity so we don’t lose balance. A functional posture is one that accommodates the reality or the circumstance of the body. Whether we are sitting, standing or moving, our ideal functional posture is always changing.
Yoga is a dynamic practice that generates a healthy stress on the bones and connective tissues. Rather than assigning rigid labels of good or bad to specific postures, it is best to approach our practice in a functional way. Bernie Clark says, “posture, like alignment, should be in the service of movement, not the other way around.” Functional posture should allow us to move with minimal stress on the body.
Group classes at Dogwood Studio such as Ageless Balance and Strength, Mindful Movement and Yoga and Joint Freeing Yoga, all are taught from a functional approach to support that balance of strength, stability, range of motion and balance for Any Body. In addition, Dogwood Studio has a team of certified yoga therapists that can help you to identify postural imbalances and develop a practice in service of YOUR body. Click here to learn more about our private yoga therapy sessions.
Email info@dogwoodstudioyoga.com with questions. We are here to help!
Amanda Dzengeleski is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher (RYT) and an aspiring yoga therapist (in training). She first discovered yoga as a form of mind-body medicine that cultivated a deeper state of self-awareness and personal growth. Using a functional and trauma-informed approach, Amanda empowers her students to move freely and intentionally in celebration of body, mind, and soul.
SAM Sather, founder of Dogwood Studios, is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and an Insight Yoga Institute (IYI) endorsed teacher. She individualizes the yoga practice with appropriate modifications for participants’ unique bodies and medical histories with a focus on finding calm and improving health. She offers several live, online and in person yoga classes as well as private sessions so you can focus on your needs one-on-one.