Session Type: [E] Guru Parampara / Inspirations

Explanations of Session Types

Session Level: All Levels

Session Length: 1.5 hour(s)

Session Description:

We all experience pain during asana, even in sukhasana. Yet we rarely take the time to "think about what we think about" pain.
Neil's journey includes knowing that there was more to offer students who experience pain during asana, and more to offer people who come to yoga for answers to their persisting pain. Yoga teachings discuss pain, yet pain attributed to the physical body typically leads to an approach within yoga classes that is more consistent with western medicine than yoga. Through years of personal practice and study, Neil has gained confidence in sharing how he has integrated modern science and yoga teachings in a way that honours the evidence and wisdom we gain from embodied experience, from science, and from yoga teachings and teachers.
Being pain care aware is both a change in our approach to yoga practice and a shift in our language. Join this session for an embodied learning experience of 'pain care aware' language and approach, followed by a discussion that intends to promote wonder and hope. Be guided by language that fosters resilience and bioplasticity. Explore whether your responses to pain support aversion or disconnection. Consider pain and protective mechanisms through interoceptive markers while finding that just right challenge where you can move into your limitations without adverse effects, with greater safety and equanimity.

This session includes an experiential practice followed by facilitated discussion.

Misconceptions about pain are a hindrance to taking advantage of yoga. Learn an evidence-informed perspective of pain and pain care, integrating yoga teachings and science. Take some time to become more discerning about “how much pain is okay during asana?”

Notes to Participants:

Join Neil's session to experience an evidenced-informed and yogic approach to questions such "How much pain is okay during asana?", and "If pain isn't an accurate indicator of tissue health, how do we stay safe(r) in asana?"