Laurel Yoga

2 days ago

We might think of movement as being this active thing, muscles contracting to overcome gravity, effort, exertion, control...
.
But often movement efficiency depends largely on how much you can relax (or just not overwork) in key ways.
.
Rolling patterns illustrate this.
.
I prep this pattern with some super soft, sweepy, side-to-side sways.
.
Then I wilt.
.
Tip...
.
and gravity does the rest (if I let it).
.
There’s certainly core work involved, but only as much as we need.
.
How to find that right amount?
.
Try doing less. Try relaxing more. Maybe.
.
This is my “work” every damn day.
.
To do less. Try less hard. Relax more.
.
It’s not easy for me. Maybe not you either?
.
Rolling is a way to “actively” practice it.
.
#bodyofknowledge #rollingpatterns #doless ... See MoreSee Less

Laurel Yoga

3 days ago

BALLS! Are going to be a piece of the pie that is my Balls, Bands, and Bliss weekend of workshops.
.
This week, I’ll be sharing a few videos that highlight a theme
.
💡adductors and abductors 💡
.
and some ways to use balls, bands, and bliss (by bliss I mean somatic and restorative practices) to explore these muscles and their movement potential.
.
Starting with this 3-part adductor massage.
.
I love using the @tuneupfitness ALPHA ball for this one. The more upright you sit, the more you challenge the position of abduction and internal rotation of the hip so a way to decrease range of motion is to tip sideways onto your elbow.
.
Technique 1: imagine your thigh is a cue stick and your knee is tapping the cue ball.
.
Technique 2: internally rotate your hip by lifting your foot away from the floor.
.
Technique 3: straighten and bend your knee.
.
Move the brick and ball closer to the hip and repeat.
.
I’ll be sharing in a newsletter the way this sequence fits into a larger sequence soon. If you aren’t on my list, sign up in my bio.
.
Here’s where you can find me for workshops this year and next!
.
Oct 26 | Queens, NY @bambooyoga.us | Core, Pelvic Floor, and More!
.
Jan 4-5 | Pittsburgh @yogaupgh | Yoga Balls, Bands, and Bliss
.
Jan 17-19 | Freeport, ME @freeportyogacompany | Yoga w Resistance Bands
.
Mar 7-8 | Charlestown, MA @asanacharlestown | Yoga Balls and Bands
.
May 16-17 | Helena, MT @thelotushelena | Yoga Balls, Bands, and Bliss
.
July 5-7 | Dublin, IRL @hotyogadublin | Yoga with Resistance Bands Teacher Training
.
Oct. 3-4 | Mill Creek, WA @yogainthecenter | Yoga Balls, Bands, and Bliss
.
Click the top link in my bio to go to the events page on my website, read more, and register!
.
#timeundertension #yogaballsbandsbliss #yogawithresistancebands #goagainsttheflow ... See MoreSee Less

Laurel Yoga

3 days ago

Closed Kinetic CHAINED DOG
.
This is closed kinetic chain because the distal end of the extremities (whole hand and toes) are fixed to the floor while the proximal segments (or body parts) are moving. (I prefer segments though, because while the trunk is classified as a body part, the spine can move segmentally. Also, if you watch my feet you’ll see them move as segments from both the ankles and the toe joints - the metatarsophalangeal joints/the toe mound joints!)
.
Segments are like sections or portions of your body (chunks? bits?) that can move independently from each other.
.
Do you “hang out” in your elbows and knees? What happens when you ask them to flex and extend dynamically? What happens when you get your forearm and arm bits moving? Your leg and thigh bits moving?
.
Teachers!
.
Task based cue: lower your knees and elbows down to the blanket at the same time. Lift them away from the blanket at the same time.
.
A task based cue is also called an external cue. We talk more directly to students’ neuromuscular systems when we ask them to accomplish a task, or act on their external environment.
.
Instead of telling them to make a shape or engage a muscle (which is traditionally more how asanas are cued. Example: bend your arms and knees, straighten your arms and knees.)
.
External cues result in more efficient muscle patterning. They also promote motor learning more effectively.
.
Your brain likes tasks as much as a dog likes treats.
.
Closed kinetic chain your dog and give it a task treat!
.
Happy Sunday night. 🐶
.
#bodyofknowledge #taskbasedcues #externalcues #motorlearning #modernposturalyoga #bodyscience ... See MoreSee Less