Mastering Simplicity Class #13: Passive and active spinal extension
$30.00
The Mastering Simplicity sessions reflect how yoga was once taught, with teacher and student meeting each other with openness and inquisitiveness about what might arise. Because Donna wishes to teach from what is most current within her practice, there won’t be a detailed description of each monthly class until after it has been broadcast. This is deliberate so that we can enter each class without preconceived expectations and receive fresh awareness. This is an invitation to explore and discover new experiences from often familiar practices.
The classes are offered monthly and will consist of a 2- hour livestream class. 1.5 hours of guided practice followed by 30 minutes for questions, reflections, and community connection.
This class was recorded in February 2025.
Recordings will be available for 30 days after purchase, unless you choose to subscribe. Subscriptions offer greater benefits, particularly for teachers, which you can learn more about here.
See the description of this class below for more details.
Recordings will be available for 30 days unless you get access through the three month or 12 month subscription options, where there are more benefits that you can learn about here.
See the description below for more details.
Offer up every joy,
be awake at all moments to the news
that is always arriving
out of silence.
~ Rainer Maria Rilke
Theme: Upright & Tension-Free
What’s Inside: This class begins with a brief period of sitting where we feel into our current postural pattern. This is followed by passive spinal extension on the floor to release the back. We progress into all-fours back strengthening followed by standing postures that activate and strengthen the spinal muscles by working against gravity and through the extension of our limbs into space. As we return to the floor, the focus shifts to creative and fun variations of Locust Pose using tennis balls in one or both hands. After a gentle supine spinal twist, the class is completed with an active Bridge Pose to further open and release the thoracic spine, followed by relaxation with an emphasis on lengthening the neck.
Key Focus: Establishing and maintaining lifelong erect posture requires us to engage and strengthen the muscles of the back body, while opening and releasing the front body. A strong emphasis of this class is the recognition that passively opening the body into extension alleviates but does not resolve upper back, neck and shoulder tension. As we become stronger and longer, this erect posture becomes self-renewing and less effortful.
