A Weekend of Yoga with Leslie Howard

April 26-28, 2019

Relax, Slow Down & Unwind w/Restorative Yoga

Friday, April 26th ~ 5:30-8pm ($45 before 4/6, $50 after)

We work very hard in our lives, and while we may sleep ( and sometimes not well), we rarely take time to rest. Restorative yoga poses help us learn to relax and rest deeply and completely. During deep relaxation, all the organ systems of the body are benefited, and a few of the measurable results of relaxation are the reduction of blood pressure and the improvement of immune function, as well as improvement in digestion, fertility, elimination, and the reduction of muscle tension and generalized fatigue.

Yoga and the Female Pelvis: A Workshop for Women

Saturday, April 27th ~ 9-11:30am & 1:30-4pm ($90 before 4/6, $110 after)

Proper strengthening and stabilizing of the pelvic floor helps to create the correct foundation of each movement in the body. This is the true meaning of “core work.” Whether you experience any of these conditions, or are just plain curious about this region of the body, this workshop is for you:

*pelvic pain

*lower back, hip or groin problems

*discomfort during sex or while using tampons

*skin irritation *leak when laughing or sneezing

* have to go the bathroom too often

*prolapsed organs

* pre and post pregnancy

This workshop we will locate, assess, soften, stretch, strengthen and exercise the muscle groups of the pelvic floor, discuss mula bandha, abdominal health and how to utilize the pelvic floor in asana. The morning of the workshop will begin with anatomy, lecture and discussion, followed by subtle experiential movements to awaken your understanding of this often ignored area. The afternoon will be two yoga practices for hypertonic and hypotonic pelvic floors.  The protocol is similar to the classes taught in the UCSF studies. A series of specific exercises and asanas for the pelvic floor will follow. Handouts will be provided. Bring your friends, sisters, mothers and daughters. Although helpful, no yoga experience is required. This workshop qualifies for continuing education credits with Yoga Alliance.

Cranky Hips: Therapeutic Hip Workshop

Sunday, April 28th ~ 9-11:30am ($45 before 4/6, $50 after)

This alignment-based class is a slow, methodical and safe way of working the legs to create space in and around the hip sockets. Leslie addresses how to use yoga poses and yoga props to increase space, flexibility and strength in the hips. You will find familiar yoga poses using props and done with a focus on the relationship between the legs and pelvis. This way of practicing can help alleviate aches and pains in and around the head of the femur.

Pain in the hips can have many causes. But whatever the root cause, most people are sitting in chairs or cars more than ever before. Sitting with the legs at a 90 degree angle from your torso decreases the amount of space in the front of the hip sockets, brings the femurs forward in the hip socket and restricts blood flow to the pelvis. We come to yoga to undo some of our postural bad habits. However, we can actually exacerbate hip pain if we are doing our poses without mindfulness.  The approach in this class is to encourage the femurs to be deeper towards the back of their sockets, and to practice the poses with a new spotlight on the hip joint.

Register in advance ~ Space is limited
All 4 sessions before 4/6: $170, $200 after

(530) 836-1500 or contact emily@trailswithin.com

Leslie Howard is an Oakland-based yoga teacher, specializing in all things pelvic. She leads workshops and trainings nationally and has written a book about the female pelvis, Pelvic Liberation. She is a regular presenter for the Yoga Journal conferences and a regular contributor to Yoga Journal magazine.  Her own struggles with healing her hips and pelvis led her to intense study of the anatomy, physiology, cultural messaging, history and energetics of this rich place. Her teaching is informed by over 3500 hours of yoga study with senior Iyengar yoga teachers, notably Manouso Manos and Patricia Walden.  She considers Ramanand Patel her most important influence and mentor. She has designed two very successful studies for UCSF on yoga to alleviate incontinence and pelvic pain. To learn more about Leslie, visit:www.lesliehowardyoga.com

 

Cancellation Policy for Workshops at Trails Within

Workshops fill on a first come, first served basis. Your spot is not guaranteed unless you prepay for it.

Cancellations 7 or more days prior to start of a workshop will receive a full refund.

For cancellations less than 7 days before the workshop, we will only be able to issue a refund or studio credit if you are able to find a replacement for your reserved space.

Cancellations within 48 hours of the start of the workshop, if you do not show up, or if you leave an event early for any reason, no credit or refund is available.

Thank you for understanding.