Yoga: Anatomy and Asana by Susi Hately Aldous

These workshops are catered to yoga teachers and trainees who want to learn on their body because they know that when they "get it" on their body, they can express it to their students more clearly. They aren't looking for the one answer or the one program for "SI joint pain", or "knee pain", or "wrist pain" because they know that what creates SI joint, knee, or wrist pain in one student is different from another student.

However, they also know that by understanding movement, and learning to see blockages in movement they can piece together the customized solution for themselves and their students to create balance, ease of movement and inherent strength and flexibility - all without pain.

We offer these workshops in Calgary at our studio, Functional Synergy, as well as at yoga studios around the world. For our current calendar click here.

Preventing Yoga Injuries: a 12 hour course
Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous

Yoga offers an incredible way to improve and maintain your health and wellbeing. Since Hatha yoga is exercise, injuries are possible. This workshop will give you strategies and principles you can use to help your students prevent yoga-related injuries, and if they have already occurred, what you can do to help your students overcome them.

Therapeutic Yoga for the Shoulders and Hips: a 6 hour course
Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous

Ever since I began teaching yoga, the two most common physical limitations I have seen are in the shoulders and hips. Even for people with back, neck, or knee pain – if they are able to improve the functioning of their shoulders and hips, their back or neck pain becomes much more manageable or even resolved.

In this workshop you will learn the biomechanics of the shoulders and hips, and how they impact each other; how they influence energy flow through the spine, and affect transfer of force and load from the upper body to the lower body and lower body to upper body. You’ll learn therapeutic yoga asanas that improve the functioning of the shoulders and hips and improve the balance in and between your neck, mid back, lower back. The result is less pain, less strain, and more freedom, stability and ease.

Exploring Downward Facing Dog: A 3 hour course
Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous
In my experience, Downward Facing Dog is one of those asanas that you either love, or you don’t love. This spectrum usually comes from how you feel in it... does it feel like you are “coming home”, does it feel like a “resting pose”, are you able to explore it, or do you just feel tight and immovable? The purpose of this workshop is to explore Downward Dog so that you can develop ease, no matter where you are at with it. We’ll look at the impact of a highly mobile or immobile spine, tight or highly mobile shoulders, sore wrists, tight hips, stiff ankles, and how you can position yourself for better body balance, peace and acceptance. That is love after all, isn’t it?

In all the years I have taught Anatomy and Asana the one pose that creates the biggest discussion and debate is Trikonasana. The reason is two fold – Trikonasana is a challenging pose which asks our body parts to move in different directions, and as such, different styles of yoga teach it in different ways.

This workshop will delve into Trikonasana from an anatomical and biomechanical perspective.

We’ll look at questions like: How do the femurs want to move in the pelvis? How do the scapulae want to move on the rib cage? Where is the spine in all of this? And how about the positioning of the feet?

You’ll learn how to modify this pose for someone with SI joint instability, hip joint imbalance, and laxity of the knee. You’ll understand how core stability fits and its relationship to the position of the shoulder girdle while moving into, staying in and moving out of Trikonasana.

We’ll then correlate the anatomy of the pose to the symbology of the pose – for example, how does our anatomy in movement relate to the 3 Angles of “Tri-Kon-Asana, to the number 3, and the geometric nature of this asana.

The aim is for you to find freedom in your Trikonasana so that you can experience greater ease, more stability, more strength with less pain and strain. And if you are teacher, you’ll hone your ability to “see” and provide cueing so your students experience greater ease, more stability and greater strength.

An Exploration of the Spine: a 6 hour course
Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous

The spine is the fundamental place to begin movement because of its central connection to every other piece of the body. Each of the vertebrae connects with fascia, blood vessels, muscles and nerves, which in turn fan in various directions to nourish, stimulate, and balance each part of the body. It is a magical system of skeletal, neurological, electrical, vascular and chemical input that when balanced and connected creates fluid, easy movement, much the same way a well-balanced and connected orchestra creates awe-inspiring music.

In this workshop you will explore the mechanics of the spine, joint structure, typical movement patterns, typical holding patterns, and common patterns of injury. We’ll also delve into yoga asanas and practices that bring freedom and stability to the spine. By the end of the day you will have a greater sense of ease and knowledge that you can apply to your practice as a teacher or student.

Pelvis and Sacro-Iliac Joints: a 6 hour course
Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous

It is often said that experienced yogis know more about their pelvis and sacroiliac joints than inexperienced yogis because of the pain they experience during their yoga practice. It doesn't have to be that way! This session explores how the sacrum, pelvis and sacroiliac joints moves during standing poses, back bends, forward bends, twists and inversions. We'll look and feel the anatomy of the pelvis, si joint and delve into common problems can occur, including sciatica and piriformis syndrome, and what you can do to keep these pieces functioning optimally for a safe, and strong practice.

Shoulder Girdle, and Shoulder Stability: a 6 hour course
Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous

The shoulder girdle is quite extraordinary. Designed to act as the bridge between the arms and the spine it provides both delicate strength and immense stability. At its essence it enables emotion to be transmitted into action and flexibility and stability to be transformed into strength, power and endurance. This workshop will look at the pieces of the shoulder girdle and issues that may limit the a yoga practice. We'll explore winged scapula, rotator cuff issues, elbow pain and carpal tunnel issues. We'll also deepen our understanding of the role the neck, spine and ribs on shoulder functioning.

The rotator cuff is all about stability. In this mini-workshop we'll explore the pieces of the rotator cuff and the impact of shoulder girdle, head and spine on its functioning. People with chronic rotator cuff issues are welcome.

Shoulders and Hips: A practice session 2 to 3 hour workshop
Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous

Tightness in the shoulders can lead to a host of aches and pains in your head or neck, while tight or weak hips can affect your back or knees. Come to this workshop if your limitations, instabilities or weaknesses are related to your shoulders or hips. Be prepared to open up, loosen up, relax and renew.

The Essence of Relaxation: A practice session 2-3 hour workshop
Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous

Relaxation is the key to movement, and without it injury can occur. If you find yourself telling your students to "listen to your body", but you know that they having difficulty in "letting go", this workshop is a great way for them to really learn it - in every pose they do, no matter how basic or complex the asana.

Question and Answers: A Unique Learning Opportunity 1.5 - 3 hours
Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous

This session is just that - an opportunity to bring your questions about your own practice or a student's practice and have a "jam session" on how to solve them. These sessions are fun, spontaneous and allow for a lot of learning and retention. This session is open to studios who have already hosted a full weekend course, or it can be included as part of a full weekend course.

Anatomy and Asana: Deepening Your Practice
Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous

**Have you struggled with some asanas, only to be frustrated or confused?
**Do certain parts of your body just keep 'hangin' on, not wanting to let go or stabilize?
**Do your students have difficulty with certain asanas or with certain parts of their bodies in asanas?
**Would you like to learn more about anatomy as it relates to your own body so that you can release and become stronger, and in turn, express that knowledge to help your students?

In these private 1:1 sessions, you will get a customized yoga program to bring release, balance and strength; an understanding of what is happening anatomically in your body; and a depth of understanding that allows you communicate to your students so they can deepen their practice. These sessions occur weekly over a 5 week period.

Learning and applying anatomy can sometimes be overwhelming when using books and pictures. In this workshop you will “see beyond the textbook”.

- understand what is really happening in the butt during back bends
- see how the external rotators of the hip impact forward bending
- understand the connection of the adductors to pelvic stability
- understand the muscles associated with shoulder stability
- see the multifidi
- see the sacroiliac joints and their stabilizing ligaments



	Workshop Descriptions: These workshops are catered to yoga teachers and trainees who want to learn on their body because they know that when they "get it" on their body, they can express it to their students more clearly. They aren't looking for the one answer or the one program for "SI joint pain", or "knee pain", or "wrist pain" because they know that what creates SI joint, knee, or wrist pain in one student is different from another student. However, they also know that by understanding movement, and learning to see blockages in movement they can piece together the customized solution for themselves and their students to create balance, ease of movement and inherent strength and flexibility - all without pain. We offer these workshops in Calgary at our studio, Functional Synergy, as well as at yoga studios around the world. For our current calendar click here. Preventing Yoga Injuries: a 12 hour course Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous Yoga offers an incredible way to improve and maintain your health and wellbeing. Since Hatha yoga is exercise, injuries are possible. This workshop will give you strategies and principles you can use to help your students prevent yoga-related injuries, and if they have already occurred, what you can do to help your students overcome them. Therapeutic Yoga for the Shoulders and Hips: a 6 hour course Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous Ever since I began teaching yoga, the two most common physical limitations I have seen are in the shoulders and hips. Even for people with back, neck, or knee pain – if they are able to improve the functioning of their shoulders and hips, their back or neck pain becomes much more manageable or even resolved. In this workshop you will learn the biomechanics of the shoulders and hips, and how they impact each other; how they influence energy flow through the spine, and affect transfer of force and load from the upper body to the lower body and lower body to upper body. You’ll learn therapeutic yoga asanas that improve the functioning of the shoulders and hips and improve the balance in and between your neck, mid back, lower back. The result is less pain, less strain, and more freedom, stability and ease. Exploring Downward Facing Dog: A 3 hour course Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous In my experience, Downward Facing Dog is one of those asanas that you either love, or you don’t love. This spectrum usually comes from how you feel in it... does it feel like you are “coming home”, does it feel like a “resting pose”, are you able to explore it, or do you just feel tight and immovable? The purpose of this workshop is to explore Downward Dog so that you can develop ease, no matter where you are at with it. We’ll look at the impact of a highly mobile or immobile spine, tight or highly mobile shoulders, sore wrists, tight hips, stiff ankles, and how you can position yourself for better body balance, peace and acceptance. That is love after all, isn’t it? Exploring Trikonasana: a 3 hour course Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous In all the years I have taught Anatomy and Asana the one pose that creates the biggest discussion and debate is Trikonasana. The reason is two fold – Trikonasana is a challenging pose which asks our body parts to move in different directions, and as such, different styles of yoga teach it in different ways. This workshop will delve into Trikonasana from an anatomical and biomechanical perspective. We’ll look at questions like: How do the femurs want to move in the pelvis? How do the scapulae want to move on the rib cage? Where is the spine in all of this? And how about the positioning of the feet? You’ll learn how to modify this pose for someone with SI joint instability, hip joint imbalance, and laxity of the knee. You’ll understand how core stability fits and its relationship to the position of the shoulder girdle while moving into, staying in and moving out of Trikonasana. We’ll then correlate the anatomy of the pose to the symbology of the pose – for example, how does our anatomy in movement relate to the 3 Angles of “Tri-Kon-Asana, to the number 3, and the geometric nature of this asana. The aim is for you to find freedom in your Trikonasana so that you can experience greater ease, more stability, more strength with less pain and strain. And if you are teacher, you’ll hone your ability to “see” and provide cueing so your students experience greater ease, more stability and greater strength. An Exploration of the Spine: a 6 hour course Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous The spine is the fundamental place to begin movement because of its central connection to every other piece of the body. Each of the vertebrae connects with fascia, blood vessels, muscles and nerves, which in turn fan in various directions to nourish, stimulate, and balance each part of the body. It is a magical system of skeletal, neurological, electrical, vascular and chemical input that when balanced and connected creates fluid, easy movement, much the same way a well-balanced and connected orchestra creates awe-inspiring music. In this workshop you will explore the mechanics of the spine, joint structure, typical movement patterns, typical holding patterns, and common patterns of injury. We’ll also delve into yoga asanas and practices that bring freedom and stability to the spine. By the end of the day you will have a greater sense of ease and knowledge that you can apply to your practice as a teacher or student. Pelvis and Sacro-Iliac Joints: a 6 hour course Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous It is often said that experienced yogis know more about their pelvis and sacroiliac joints than inexperienced yogis because of the pain they experience during their yoga practice. It doesn't have to be that way! This session explores how the sacrum, pelvis and sacroiliac joints moves during standing poses, back bends, forward bends, twists and inversions. We'll look and feel the anatomy of the pelvis, si joint and delve into common problems can occur, including sciatica and piriformis syndrome, and what you can do to keep these pieces functioning optimally for a safe, and strong practice. Shoulder Girdle, and Shoulder Stability: a 6 hour course Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous The shoulder girdle is quite extraordinary. Designed to act as the bridge between the arms and the spine it provides both delicate strength and immense stability. At its essence it enables emotion to be transmitted into action and flexibility and stability to be transformed into strength, power and endurance. This workshop will look at the pieces of the shoulder girdle and issues that may limit the a yoga practice. We'll explore winged scapula, rotator cuff issues, elbow pain and carpal tunnel issues. We'll also deepen our understanding of the role the neck, spine and ribs on shoulder functioning. The Rotator Cuff: a 3 hour course Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous The rotator cuff is all about stability. In this mini-workshop we'll explore the pieces of the rotator cuff and the impact of shoulder girdle, head and spine on its functioning. People with chronic rotator cuff issues are welcome. Shoulders and Hips: A practice session 2 to 3 hour workshop Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous This is a practice session. Tightness in the shoulders can lead to a host of aches and pains in your head or neck, while tight or weak hips can affect your back or knees. Come to this workshop if your limitations, instabilities or weaknesses are related to your shoulders or hips. Be prepared to open up, loosen up, relax and renew. The Essence of Relaxation: A practice session 2-3 hour workshop Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous This is a practice session. Relaxation is the key to movement, and without it injury can occur. If you find yourself telling your students to "listen to your body", but you know that they having difficulty in "letting go", this workshop is a great way for them to really learn it - in every pose they do, no matter how basic or complex the asana. Question and Answers: A Unique Learning Opportunity 1.5 - 3 hours Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous This session is just that - an opportunity to bring your questions about your own practice or a student's practice and have a "jam session" on how to solve them. These sessions are fun, spontaneous and allow for a lot of learning and retention. This session is open to studios who have already hosted a full weekend course, or it can be included as part of a full weekend course. Anatomy and Asana: Deepening Your Practice Facilitator: Susi Hately Aldous Have you struggled with some asanas, only to be frustrated or confused? Do certain parts of your body just keep 'hangin' on, not wanting to let go or stabilize? Do your students have difficulty with certain asanas or with certain parts of their bodies in asanas? Would you like to learn more about anatomy as it relates to your own body so that you can release and become stronger, and in turn, express that knowledge to help your students? In these private 1:1 sessions, you will get a customized yoga program to bring release, balance and strength; an understanding of what is happening anatomically in your body; and a depth of understanding that allows you communicate to your students so they can deepen their practice. These sessions occur weekly over a 5 week period. Anatomy and Asana: Getting into the Cadaver Lab - A 12 hour course Facilitators: Susi Hately Aldous and Lorrie Maffey Jorgenson, PT This is an incredibly unique yoga workshop. Learning and applying anatomy can sometimes be overwhelming when using books and pictures. In this workshop you will “see beyond the textbook”. Here is a portion of what you will learn: - understand what is really happening in the butt during back bends - see how the external rotators of the hip impact forward bending - understand the connection of the adductors to pelvic stability - understand the muscles associated with shoulder stability - see the multifidi - see the sacroiliac joints and their stabilizing ligaments Sometimes all we need is to "see" in order for us to "feel".

Workshop Descriptions: