Cueing in forward folds should maintain the fluidity and strength of the back and front body. Folding with a flat rigid back is not anatomically correct. We have the opportunity to invite fluidity of movement and not rigidity. The spine is stabilized by the deep front line (DFL) through the iliacus, psoas major, psoas minor and quadratus

four types of mechanoreceptors in fascia.

Deep to the fat is a unitard of tough fascia that really determines our shape. Below this are the various layers that surround and invest the muscles, and form walls between muscles and muscle groups - these are the layers actually called the myofascia. Deep to the muscles are the ligaments and periosteum (the plastic wrap around the bone). The

There is a beautiful piece of fascia that forms a band around the ankle—the retinaculum. The retinaculum keeps all the muscles from just flying off of the leg! Of course, it can also prevent the slide and glide needed if it is bound down too tight.

I prefer the term client because student supposes that the teacher knows something more than the student and creates a power differential.

When we inhale and expand our bellies, the diaphragm flattens and everything that is attached to it heads south toward the pelvic floor. With each exhale; as we draw our navels back, the diaphragm goes back to a neutral dome position.

The stretch can be increased through the SL by engaging the shoulder blade toward the spine—shortening the rhomboids. For example, in a right twist you draw the scapula toward the spine and may add tucking the chin toward the right breast at 45 degrees, which stretches the left splenius capitis.

Tibialis posterior is a huge player in stabilizing and sending information from the ankle joint up the core. Stand on the ground, and gently lift up the medial arch and feel the tibialis posterior engaging right behind the tibia bone (top bone of the lower leg). You may feel the peroneals and tibialis anterior trying to join the party.

Our proverbial six-pack is often associated with a “strong core.” In fact, it is not our core. It plays a wonderful synergistic relationship with our quadriceps, helps us create long back bends if it is not pulled short, as in Wheel pose (figure 2.9). Functionally, it keeps our guts inside which keeps things tidy. Additionally, the rectus abdominis