
The Space Above co-owner Lisa Meer is teaching a monthly clinic for yogis and yoga teachers about refining asana, finding alignment and freedom in yoga postures, recruiting the right muscles to avoid injury, and more.
Her last workshop covered pelvic and trunk stability in postures like Warrior I and II, as well as shoulder positioning and strengthening in chaturanga and plank. Here's what some of her students are saying about the clinic:
Thank you Lisa Meer for the AMAZING assisting workshop on Saturday! Being a physical therapist and yogi I constantly seek optimal alignment with asana for ALL body types for myself and when teaching others. Your knowledge of alignment, safety and how to assist is well thought out and right on target! I learned so much, including how: only when there is proper alignment can energy flow to create that beautiful and full experience that the practice is all about :)
Cant wait for next month!!! -Sara
A huge Thank you to The Space Above & shout-out to Lisa Meer for her amazing Asana Awareness workshop Saturday! I will never do Warrior 1 or Chatturanga the painful / awkward way again :) Can't wait for the next one! -Nadene
Thank you to Lisa and everyone who attended the workshop on Saturday. I really enjoyed learning, once again, how your "core"....the lower trunk...must support your moves. Being with other teachers is interesting to me as a student. Yoga is a great workout for me, and I appreciate how much better I feel. The workshops I have attended at The Space Above have enhanced my normal beginner classes. I have come a long way from my first class over a year ago...Thank you, Lisa !!! -Sandy
Don't miss the next clinic
Function Cultivates Form: Refining the Asana - Backbends

You've heard the phrase "form follows function." Actually, structure begets function and then function leads to the form. In other words, structural balance allows the body and its musculature to function in the way it was meant to with strength AND flexibility. When there is an imbalance in the structure or a weak link in the chain (the spine or the skeletal system), the container that is the body cannot hold the prana or energy that we are working to generate in our practice. We are missing out on opportunities to develop our inherent power - inside and out - and allowing ourselves to become vulnerable to strain and injury.
Trying to force your body or a student's body into an asana based on form alone leaves behind the higher intention of function. In yoga, function is more valuable than form for gaining the benefits given to us through the asana. Whether you are an experienced student with a deep interest in learning more about the body or a yoga teacher, you will find value in this small group workshop. We will begin to learn about refining the asana to find integrity AND beauty and bring about healthy function and ultimately, a healthy physical vehicle. We will look at which prop & why, strategic prop adjustments depending on body structure and hands-on adjustments with some partnering work.
This month, we will address BACKBENDS!
With one simple alignment technique in a few common backbend poses, let's figure out how to find a pain free back bending experience.
When backbends feel good, they feel very, very good: They leave you feeling energized, expansive, even joyful. But when they feel bad, well, you can fill in the rest. Think compressed, crunchy lower back, sacral pain, neck strain. Learning to align your pelvis and integrate your shoulders will help you to keep your lower back long and your spine compression free, so join us for some time to explore HOW to do this with props, proper alignment and partner assists!
Sign up
Saturday, March 17, 2012 - 11:30am-1:30pm
$25 investment, pre-registration required!
Sign up here (click workshops tab)