Session 1: The Opinionated Psoas

We invite you to join us for this informative and transformative exploration!
Sunday, May 23, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Zoom Online Webinar The psoas muscle has long been recognized as central to our posture and movement, and a source of back and hip pain. Yet the muscle is so deep, and involved in so much of our movement, including the breath, that there are a number of ideas, theories, and opinions about exactly what it is that the psoas ‘does’ — beyond its two most obvious functions.

What are the effects of a tight psoas? How do we ‘release’ the psoas? Why is there more involved in working with the psoas than just stretching? What role does the psoas play in the breath, and in the state of the nervous system? Where does emotion fit in?

In this webinar, Doug will explain and illustrate the psoas and the main ideas about it, the role it plays in the functioning of our low back and hips as well as our emotional life, and sort out the lessons we can take into our yoga practice.

We’ll come to understand the variety of problems created by a ‘tight’ psoas, and how nearly all of the asanas of yoga address the psoas in different ways — with a few of the main postures being the key. This will give us principles for practice.

The practice session will emphasize principles for practicing asanas more deeply, effectively, and beneficially when we include awareness of the psoas in asana and breath.

Doug Keller - Session 2: Yoga Nidra
Sunday, May 23, 2:00  - 3:30 pm
Zoom Online Webinar

Yoga Nidra is a popular contemporary practice in yoga, and there are a number of forms of practice that have developed over the years. The roots of the practice go back to the introduction of Hatha Yoga into the yoga tradition, and draw upon some simple but powerful practices of breath, meditative awareness, and ’seed sounds’ elemental vibrations that help you go spontaneously and easily into a deep state of relaxation and renewal.

In the live part of this webinar session, Doug will explore with you the main elements of this original tradition, and lead short practices of meditation and breath that are the building blocks of an easeful Yoga Nidra. Then you will be guided through a Yoga Nidra practice.  

This practice will be made available to you ahead of time, which you will be able to download and keep if you wish, to ensure a good experience with high quality sound.