
Working with Laura can help you...
- relieve back, neck, and joint pain
- reduce the risk of injury in everyday activities
- improve alignment and balance
- increase body and breath awareness
- develop a safe, personalized yoga practice
- improve performance in athletic and recreational pursuits
WHAT IS SPINEFULNESS?
A spine-centered paradigm for understanding human alignment and movement which restores efficiency and brings relief to tensions, aches and pains. It is a process of self-discovery, awareness, and healing.
Spinefulenss is based off the life's work of Frenchwoman, Noelle Perez-Christiaens, one of the first western students of yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar. Aplomb, as it's called in France, is based on Noelle's research studying populations of people all over the globe who experience very low incidence of back/joint pain. Aplomb/Spinefuleness respect the natural alignment humans experience as children and aims to educate and help people find a healthy and comfortable relationship to gravity.
HOW IS SPINEFULNESS DIFFERENT FROM YOGA?
Spinefulness is modern. The practice of Spinefulness directly addresses the tensions and pain that often come from modern posture. (Think of that voice in your head that says, "Tighten the tummy. Lift the chest. Chin up. Shoulders back." This is the voice and the habits that Spinefulness can shift to healthier tones and movement patterns.) Spinefulness is a response to unhealthy modern posture that has created an epidemic of back pain in Western culture. Spinefulness can be practiced anywhere at anytime. Students are encouraged to take the teachings from the studio into their lives by practicing healthy sitting, driving, bending, standing, walking, sleeping, etc. In a typical Spinefulenss class students might see slides to illustrate healthy vs. unhealthy alignment, sit in chairs, stand, bend, walk, practice self foot-massage, practice simple stretches, pay attention to the breath, and recline with supportive props.
Yoga is an ancient practice that has many traditions and many teachers, all with their own unique flavor. I had the honor of learning the foundations of Traditional Ashtanga Yoga at Mount Madonna Center under the guidance of Baba Hari Daas and his senior teachers. The meaning of the word "Yoga" is "union". Yoga has many shades of meaning, including union, integration, discipline, way, behavior. The eight limbs of Traditional Ashtanga Yoga can be guiding principles in one's life.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT PRACTICING WITH LAURA?
Laura has studied Yoga and Spinefulness since 2009 and sees the benefits of both. For those who have pain, injuries, limited flexibility, or are unconditioned, Spinefulness is a great was to reconnect to the body and start building healthy alignment and movement habits. Spinefulness is also a great way to find that "comfortable seat" that so many yoga teachers allude to. With Spinefuless, many students proclaim they can sit and meditate for longer without pain.
Laura keeps her group classes limited to 10 people so that everyone can stay safe and get individual feedback. Because many bodies are stuck in unhealthy patterns, Laura uses hands-on adjustments to help students feel new sensations and find deep relaxation. Ultimately, Laura hopes to show students the strength in relaxation. There is power in letting go and trusting your bones to hold you up (as opposed to tight muscles). She weaves elements of yoga into her classes, using pranayama (breathing) practices, meditation, and foundational asana/s (seat/poses).
A spine-centered paradigm for understanding human alignment and movement which restores efficiency and brings relief to tensions, aches and pains. It is a process of self-discovery, awareness, and healing.
Spinefulenss is based off the life's work of Frenchwoman, Noelle Perez-Christiaens, one of the first western students of yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar. Aplomb, as it's called in France, is based on Noelle's research studying populations of people all over the globe who experience very low incidence of back/joint pain. Aplomb/Spinefuleness respect the natural alignment humans experience as children and aims to educate and help people find a healthy and comfortable relationship to gravity.
HOW IS SPINEFULNESS DIFFERENT FROM YOGA?
Spinefulness is modern. The practice of Spinefulness directly addresses the tensions and pain that often come from modern posture. (Think of that voice in your head that says, "Tighten the tummy. Lift the chest. Chin up. Shoulders back." This is the voice and the habits that Spinefulness can shift to healthier tones and movement patterns.) Spinefulness is a response to unhealthy modern posture that has created an epidemic of back pain in Western culture. Spinefulness can be practiced anywhere at anytime. Students are encouraged to take the teachings from the studio into their lives by practicing healthy sitting, driving, bending, standing, walking, sleeping, etc. In a typical Spinefulenss class students might see slides to illustrate healthy vs. unhealthy alignment, sit in chairs, stand, bend, walk, practice self foot-massage, practice simple stretches, pay attention to the breath, and recline with supportive props.
Yoga is an ancient practice that has many traditions and many teachers, all with their own unique flavor. I had the honor of learning the foundations of Traditional Ashtanga Yoga at Mount Madonna Center under the guidance of Baba Hari Daas and his senior teachers. The meaning of the word "Yoga" is "union". Yoga has many shades of meaning, including union, integration, discipline, way, behavior. The eight limbs of Traditional Ashtanga Yoga can be guiding principles in one's life.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT PRACTICING WITH LAURA?
Laura has studied Yoga and Spinefulness since 2009 and sees the benefits of both. For those who have pain, injuries, limited flexibility, or are unconditioned, Spinefulness is a great was to reconnect to the body and start building healthy alignment and movement habits. Spinefulness is also a great way to find that "comfortable seat" that so many yoga teachers allude to. With Spinefuless, many students proclaim they can sit and meditate for longer without pain.
Laura keeps her group classes limited to 10 people so that everyone can stay safe and get individual feedback. Because many bodies are stuck in unhealthy patterns, Laura uses hands-on adjustments to help students feel new sensations and find deep relaxation. Ultimately, Laura hopes to show students the strength in relaxation. There is power in letting go and trusting your bones to hold you up (as opposed to tight muscles). She weaves elements of yoga into her classes, using pranayama (breathing) practices, meditation, and foundational asana/s (seat/poses).