Deborah Wolk returns to California Yoga Center for this two-day online exploration of asymmetry on the musculoskeletal body and the bones.
The workshop is for students with scoliosis or those who want to deepen understanding of body asymmetries, and learn techniques to transform yoga practice in a fluid and positive way. The sessions are also appropriate for yoga teachers wishing to learn how to work better with their students with scoliosis.
Each afternoon includes 1 hour of experiential anatomy and applying this knowledge in 90 minutes of modified, therapeutic asana. Participants should have at least 6 months of yoga experience.
Sensing the Spiral: Saturday, July 25, 3:30-6 pm (PDT)
Scoliosis is a three dimensional condition involving the entire musculoskeletal body, not just the spine and trunk. The effect on the body is both front to back (sagital) and side to side (lateral)—in other words, a spiral. How can we see and sense these spirals in their entirety? How much of the body/mind is affected? What are some approaches those of us with scoliosis can take to unwind the spiral that don’t leave us prone to injury?
Sensing the Bones: Sunday, July 27, 1:30-4 pm (PDT)
Often described as a bone condition—scoliosis is seen as structural asymmetry and progressive. But what is bone? Science is now discovering that bone has many more functions than we thought and this shines new light on what scoliosis is. Transform your practice by sensing your bones as part of your fluid, nervous and endocrine systems. Learn to touch bone in a way that discriminates between muscle, fascia and skin. See how bones fit together and sense how your scoliosis deviates from that so you can create better alignment in your joints.
Deborah Wolk, C-IAYT, has been teaching and working with students with back issues, scoliosis, and other injuries for over 17 years. Her yoga practice working with her own scoliosis informs the work she does to help others. In 2007, Deborah travelled to India to study with the Iyengar family and spent most afternoons observing the medical classes there. In January 2015, Deborah founded Samamkaya Yoga Back Care & Scoliosis Collective. Samamkaya is a democratically run workers cooperative and is devoted exclusively to scoliosis, back care, teacher education in therapeutics, and adaptive yoga for students with disabilities and nervous system disorders. Deborah’s teachings are based in the principles of Iyengar style yoga and Body Mind Centering (BMC) techniques. She is warm and funny and her teachings are subtle yet explained at a level everyone can understand. Deborah teaches workshops, retreats, and teacher trainings on Back Care & Scoliosis in New York City, across the US, and around the world, and has a thriving private practice.
Two day workshop fee: Early bird $110. After July 20, $130
Individual Day: $70