Advanced Yoga for Shoulders and Arm Balances

Shoulder Girdle Harmony

Susan Church and Orla Crosse – 9th February 2019

The ball and socket joint of the shoulder is one of the most unstable in the body. A poor design becomes the teacher’s biggest challenge.

Explore the workings of the dynamic and static shoulder joint controlling system. Learn how to activate the most accurate and stable shoulder position in each pose for your body and then your students.

What on earth is a stable shoulder? Well, the trick is that it looks different when the arms are in different positions. So, we may have been telling them the wrong thing! When we understand the difference between scapular stabilisation and shoulder stabilisation; when we go deep into the torso to ignite these stabilisers. Then and only then can we master chaturanga, dragonfly, 8 limbed post and all of those crazy arm balances.

Take your downward dog to up dog- through safe chaturangua the next level with the latest evidence-based information.

Into the Arms of Yoga (Arm Balances)

Susan Church and Orla Crosse – 10th February 2019

Learn about the complex anatomy of the arms, wrists, and hands – bones, ligaments, muscles.

Elbows! What way are they supposed to point in arm balance poses?

Wrists! One of the most common complaints in a Yoga class is that of sore wrists, no matter how you cue your classes, not to mention Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Did you know your hand position directly affects your shoulder and breath and vice versa? Is there a way to avoid problems?

We think so. It comes down to a knowledge of the arms anatomical structures related to each pose. Our goal is to simplify so that you and your students have the best experience deepening their practice safely.

Foundation Yoga courses are full of standing balances. So naturally, we concentrate on the feet and the legs. Now it is time to turn that upside down.

From seemingly simple asana like Khumbakasana and Ardha Mucka Svanasana to Crane, Crow, Grasshopper and Handstand, your arms are your base of support for all those super arm balances. Women especially suffer from these more strength orientated inverted balance poses. Knowing the correct positioning of wrists, hands, elbows, and shoulders will really assist in educating yourself and your students into more advanced balances.

Here’s a brief tutorial on shoulder position for yoga and Pilates teachers from Susan Church.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B29EQKq2Cek&feature=youtu.be