Workshop: Yoga for Better Back
with Cathy Blatchly

The practice helps to stretch and strengthen muscles that support the back and spine (the paraspinals that help you extend your spine, the multifidi that stabilize your vertebrae and the abdominals that also help you twist, flex and and stabilize your spine). Yoga is also the source of many back related injuries, primarily strains and sprains, in older adults.  The question is how can you protect a sore back from a therapy that has the power to ease it? The main issue with yoga-related back injuries is most people don’t follow proper form and speed; they quickly drop into a yoga pose without gradually “lengthening” into it.  Slow controlled movement decreases the chance of injury. 

How to use your muscles to create a solid foundation that allows you to slowly lengthen, stretch and stabilize your body. Mindful practice of yoga will help improve mobility and strength while stretching tight and achy back and leg muscles.

You can expect an introduction to self-assessment of specific poses to determine which are most

appropriate for your body and how to use direction of movement, props and/or positioning to customize the pose to your comfort. Depending on the needs of the group we will review

and practice between 5 and 8 poses that can be used as a home practice. Yes, there will be a handout. We will explore flowing sequences and a few Yin Yoga poses 

There will be time for discussion - Please join us!!