Copyright © 2012 • Betty Eiler • All photographs by Jim Jacobs

Workshops

• Aging With Grace
• Aligning Your Body
• Backbends
• Balancing on One or Both Feet
• Beginning Basics
• Bending Over Frontwards
• Growing A Lotus
• Inversions
• Let's All Squat
• Relaxing Deeply
• Short Home Practices for Busy People
• Twisting and Turning
• Yoga for Hips, Groins, Knees and Legs
• Yoga for Necks and Shoulders

Twisting and Turning

Twists are fun to do! There are twists for everybody. Twists are great rejuvenators and tension releasers. They remove lethargy, increase vitality, free up the breath and can remove back pain. On a deeper level they release unrecognized fear, anxiety and depression. B.K.S. Iyengar describes twists as a “squeeze-and-soak” action. The wringing out action flushes the liver, spleen and intestines. Through the cleansing process, circulation is stimulated and tissues are nourished.

The structures around the spinal column are the primary focus of twists. Every vertebra relates to an aspect of the body and must remain healthy to do its job. Keeping the vertebrae flexible, strong, well nourished and supple with synovial fluid is essential for abundant health.

This workshop will explore some basic principles of twists and then apply them to a large variety of postures. The postures range from simple to difficult and each student will move according to their own abilities. Depending on the specific twists, they can increase flexibility in the ankles, knees, hips, chest, shoulders, neck & spinal column. We will look at the movement of the spinal column and the organs of action (arms and legs) as we explore reclining, seated, standing and inverted twists. The last part of the class will be devoted to counter poses and Savasana.