What: Does a slouched posture or forward head leave you feeling stiff in your upper back or shoulders or tense in your neck? Do you have low back soreness? Misaligned posture due to our modern lifestyle is a real thing. Your breathing, nervous system and wellness are all affected by the placement of your pelvis, rib cage, shoulders and head. Ideally, we want to defy gravity and not be adversely influenced by it. Your built-in stabilizers, muscles you may not regularly associate with postural powerhouses, are likely offline, under conditioned and under utilized. 

Join this (4) pt. therapeutic series to learn more about standing tall and invite better posture. Part-lab, all experiential, all yoga and all to support you awakening patterns for your wellbeing.

When: Saturdays in March from 10a-11:00a, in-person

Where: Banya 5 Urban Spa, 217 9th Ave N. Seattle, WA 98109

Register $120 for series, $35 drop-in; visit https://www.banya5.com/classes-workshops

Session #1 - What does standing tall feel like? 

The 1st class in this series explores neutrality and balance as postural frameworks. Use the breath, feel into the relationship of 'opposing forces’ and move toward structural neutral for balance. Begin to sense outer (and inner) positioning habits and compensation patterns.

Session # 2 - Deep core integration and pelvic positioning influence posture. 

This class initiates standing tall with stabilizing muscles from within. Wake up deeper core muscles with the breath and side body awareness. Enliven pelvic range of motion with pandiculation, non-linear movements and muscular conditioning to support for your trunk when standing tall.

Session #3 - What's going on back there? 

The back body, particularly the mid-back, lifts the front body, supports proper rib cage placement and counters slouched posture. This class promotes awareness of mid-back muscles through the breath, undulation, muscular isolation and body-weight conditioning.

Session # 4 - Your neck supports the 10lb. bowling ball that's your head.

Guess what the physical affects are of misaligned posture plus the weight of your head multiplied by gravity? To start, about 60lbs of tightness presenting in the surrounding areas of the neck. The neck and associated muscles are often overlooked as a key factors in standing tall yet so many of us experience tension in this area. This practice explores exercises to relieve stiffness, increase range of motion and condition neck muscles to promote neck and head coherence.

As in each of the (4) classes in this series, you'll leave practice with an increased sense of spaciousness, length and bodily awareness on the journey of better posture. No previous yoga experience is necessary. Simply a desire to feel better in your body!