Posts in Upper Back
A Happier Dog?

A practice for those wanting the elements of a downward facing dog without bearing so much weight on wrists and shoulders. Enjoy a warm up for wrists, shoulders and hamstrings and then a standing version of plank and dog using a wall for support. Useful for tending to healing shoulders.

Pour Back In

If you've been offering a lot of your energy out into the world and operating on empty for a while, this practice is intended to help you pour back in with the help of nourishing breath, expansive moderate movement and deep rest.

Inhalation Invigoration

Both yoga and western science teach us that our inhales are associated with increased alertness, attention and invigoration. This full practice focuses on a deeper philosophy surrounding breath directions and how the inhale is related to opening and clearing the heart of heavy, stagnant (kapha) energy. Expect full body movement that may increase mobility of the upper back and shoulders.

30 Minute Tension Release

Focus on releasing tension and increasing mobility, specifically for the neck, shoulders and upper back while exploring a deeper release through a longer exhale. Closes with a restorative posture for further shoulder release and relaxation. Bolster or pillows suggested.

Neck Support

A complete hatha class with focus on therapeutics for the neck to strengthen the muscles that support our heads and retain optimal alignment, helping to avoid upper back and neck pain. Includes a calming skill utilizing sound felt in the throat and neck.

Strengthening a Kind Inner Voice (and the upper back)

This practice invites you to question habitual stories you tell yourself with specific questions designed to soften self-loathing tendencies. It features a breath technique that symbolizes linking the heart to the mind and movements that strengthen the upper back, countering rounded shoulders, allowing us to feel more "open" at the chest and maybe even open at the heart.

Strengthening Body and Mind

Many come to yoga to create stronger bodies, which is one of the many benefits of the physical practice. However, we soon discover that we also strengthen our ability to question our habitual thoughts, hold broader perspectives and cultivate more compassion for ourselves and others. This 60 minute practice strengthens weak areas of the body where we often feel discomfort (neck, upper back, core, glutes) while offering a breath visualization and inspiration to strengthen our kinder inner voice.

Press Pause

Our time on the mat can be a moment to press pause on our day and connect with how we are feeling physically, mentally and emotionally. Pausing with what is can help us make space for skillful thought and action moving forward. Expect to "pause" throughout this moderate physical practice for a chance to feel and be rather than do and achieve.

Growing the Qualities of the Heart

A 60 minute moderate experience with an invitation to focus on a heart-based quality like acceptance for another or self, empathy, compassion and love as a means of balancing the mind and its tendency for ceaseless chatter. The breath technique and sequence offered is meant as an embodiment of growing these qualities through our practice.