Backbends and inversions are invigorating and transformative.  For many students these are difficult, intimidating postures and a source of frustration. Other students tend to over work trying to achieve and therefore avoiding deeper issues.  
Neither extreme is our optimal healing and empowering zone. We need to learn to play the middle ground.
As teachers these poses demand that we be knowledgeable, responsible and in our full integrity and present with our students needs.  We can be just guides of poses or become teachers with an intention to help students heal.
 
In this 5 day intensive we will start with blue print poses that will inform our Back Bends and inversions.  We will work step by step in practice and to de-mystify key alignment points that will help us teach these poses safely to many levels of students.   We will look at ways to help students build confidence and find ways to work with common issues surrounding these poses. The focus will come back to how to protect vulnerable areas such as the low back, shoulders and neck as well as how to teach these postures to various levels of classes, from beginners to the more advanced. We will cover points of alignment and ways to sequence these poses in your classes. This will include the use of props, variations and modifications for special needs. We will have time for practice, to sharpen our skills of observation of bodies and learn to adjust on each other.

Wed-Fri there will be a half hour break for lunch.

The workshop will include:
 
-Practice time
-Hands-on Adjustments
-Reading bodies
-Common Injuries
-Using props
-Protecting the vulnerable parts: the neck, shoulders and low back
-Sequencing for backbends and inversions
 
This in-depth study is designed for teachers and serious students.
  

Maty Ezraty was the original founder of Yoga Works in Santa Monica, CA, and directed the teacher training program there for over 16 years. A teacher since 1985, she has been a contributing writer for Yoga Journal, both print and online. Known for her humor and persistence in teaching good asana form, Maty has also studied with many senior Iyengar teachers, which is reflected in her practice and teaching. Check out Maty's website!