Asana Alignment

Asana alignment plays an important role in my yoga classes and is a central part of our yoga practice together. Asanas are the postures practiced in yoga and alignment refers to how to perform them correctly and safely. Asana alignment refers to the positioning of each limb and the whole, including the alignment of bones and joints and the contraction or relaxation of specific muscles. Learning proper alignment in the asanas gives you a solid base, keeps you secure, and creates balance and stability. The alignment can contribute to the free movement of the pelvic floor and the diaphragm and thus also facilitate and deepen your breathing in the asanas.

During my online and offline classes, I correct my students' alignment to ensure the posture is being accessed and held in a safe yet effective manner. I pay attention to details such as the positioning of the hands and feet, the alignment of the spine and pelvis, and the alignment of the arms and legs. In addition, I will guide you in regards to which muscles should be engaged and which muscle groups should ideally be relaxed in the asana. In order to make you achieve or feel an appropriate alignment, I use various props such as yoga blocks, straps, pillows, blankets, etc. For some asanas I offer different ways of doing them, depending on the focus of our class or in order for you to perceive the differences and individualize your practice.

A particularly important reason for emphasizing alignment in my yoga classes is to avoid injury. Proper alignment ensures that ligaments and tendons are not overstretched or overused. This minimizes the risk of injury and makes the yoga practice safer and more enjoyable.

Proper alignment can also help you to deepen the pose and gain more control over your body. When you focus your attention on body alignment, you learn to listen to your body and how it feels in certain positions. This can help increase overall awareness of your own body and thus help to reduce stress.

Improper alignment can not only lead to pain and injury, but can also reduce the effectiveness of the asana, preventing you from getting the full benefit of the pose. While this isn't dangerous, most people don't have a lot of time to practice yoga. Therefore, I want to give you a space where you can use the time on the mat in a meaningful way for you and your body. This includes strengthening and stretching, increasing your mindfulness and body awareness, as well as experiencing rest and relaxation.  

After my classes, I keep getting feedback from students that they feel different after my classes than after doing yoga with other teachers. My participants feel more balanced in their body and mind and have often found a new freedom of movement after class. This is due to the choice of asanas and exercises, but also due to the attention to alignment. Thus, if you haven't been to one of my classes, be sure to check it out!