I attended Jim Harrington’s Yoga Anatomy Re-defined workshop at Melissa Brake’s Yogaway studio in Newlands on Saturday 12th October 2013.

The focus of the first session of the two part workshop was on the anatomical and muscular structure of the upper body mainly the arms and the back. The second session will focus on the neck area, flexibilities and poses to improve this key and sensitive part of the body. The purpose of both workshops is to inform in order to prevent injuries and to help the recovery process from any discomfort in those specific physical areas especially whilst maintaining an active Yoga practice.

The workshop was well attended by approximately sixteen participants. The studio provided the ideal venue to host the workshop and it exudes a warm, inviting and tranquil space to practice and share the study of Yoga.

The two and a half hour workshop included visual material and hard copy worksheets outlining the muscles of the arm, the back and upper body. Jim gave clear and practical explanations of the muscle groups and their key functions. Questions pertaining to common shoulder and wrist ailments were highlighted, clarity given on how such problems can occur and how correcting and modifying positioning in asanas, (poses), can alleviate reoccurrence of the same. We then applied the theoretical and practical explanations with flexibility movements as well as asana examples where discussed group muscles of the upper limbs and back were activated.

I found the workshop to be truly informative and hugely helpful to apply to my own practice and as teaching tools for my students. Yoga is a constant learning and inspiring art, science and philosophy of life. Even after years of practice and teaching this workshop proves that there is always something to learn, to modify with mindfulness and to refresh knowledge gained in the early stages of study and practice.

Such a workshop is of more value when it is guided by a teacher who has a wealth of anatomical knowledge and years of applied practical experience. Thank you Jim for offering these insightful workshops to enhance our practice and to assist us to become wiser teachers.

Thank you Melissa for hosting the event in your peaceful studio. The second part of this Yoga Anatomy Re-defined series will also be held at Yogaway on Saturday the 26th October 2013 from 14:00pm to 16:30pm.

If you want to re-define your Yoga anatomy for a far safer and healthier practice, I highly recommend attending these workshops when they are on offer.

Namaste,

Juanita.

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Juanita Caprari is a certified Yoga teacher and Public Relations Practitioner. She started her Yoga practice in 2002. She has completed two Yoga Teacher Training Courses, the last one through Ananda Kutir Ashram and has been teaching Yoga since 2007.  Juanita is the editor for Yoga Awakening Africa. Contact: jcaprari@mweb.co.za or visit the website www.yogamala.co.za or www.facebook.com/YogaMalaCapeTown