Body Analysis for Yoga

Skills in Structural Integration with Bruce Schonfeld

Mobility enhances motility as Qi cannot optimally flow where fascia is fixated

This class will focus on practical assessment skills designed to help Yogis and Yoga Instructors more clearly understand what is going on anatomically with themselves and tricky clients. The assessment skills will be both visual and pal­pa­tion based (physical motion testing). We will observe postural patterns in each other and discuss them them in terms of what is happening in the musculoskeletal, visceral, and craniosacral systems. Visual analysis will be followed up with user friendly palpation skills designed to bi­o­me­chan­i­c­ally test and interpret healthy movement and motion restrictions. Much of the art and science of being functional and movement educators lies in out ability to strategize a course of intervention that is based on the clients individual needs. Often the key is addressing their asymmetrical issue(s) in asymmetrical terms. For example, knowing there is a legitimate leg length differential in play can be ex­treme­ly helpful in explaining whole body compensation.

Concepts and skills demonstrated and practiced include:

  • Postural Analysis – Seeing anatomical relationships
  • Palpatory Analysis – Feeling anatomical relationships; Motion Testing
  • Polyfascial Perspective – Craniosacral, Musculoskeletal, Neural, Visceral
  • Structural Strategies – “Structural Types,” “Primary Lesion,” & Adaptation
  • Experiential Movement – Embodiment and evolution of class concepts
  • Clinical Applications – Holistic, Orthopedic, & Movement Education

These skills translate well clinically and can potentiate other practices. This is an invitation for cross-pollination appropriate for Yogis and Yoga Instructors with Structural Integration. With mutual support and respect, we will visually analyze and manually palpate each other for alignment and range of motion. Together we will seek to meet the body on its own terms.