Release & Restore
myofascial release and massage
What is Myofascial Release Yoga?
Myofascial Yoga combines the three principles of Myofascial Release with therapeutic stretching and the principles of Yoga philosophy in a "hands-off"approach to healing and wholeness.
There are also three principles to Myofascial Yoga:
1. Gentle sustained pressure using soft balls. (We will learn how to apply gentle sustained pressure to areas of restriction using the help of soft balls, rolled blankets, and yoga poses).
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2. Intuitive bounce (We will learn the art of gently bouncing the body using rebounding and intuitive movements, as well as the appropriate sequence to use for the most effective result).
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3. Intuitive movement (We will learn how to intuitively move and self-correct within traditional yoga poses by studying the range of movements in your own body. We will also learn how to assess for restrictions, movement biases, and compensation patterns in our bodies, as well as how to correct them).
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Myofascial Yoga integrates the principles of the ancient Yoga tradition, some of which include non-violence, mindfulness, recognition of the body's innate intelligence, and how to access higher state of consciousness. These principles are very important for the "hands-off" approach to Myofascial Yoga as this allows the yogi to approach the stretching, applied pressure, rebounding, unwinding in the right state of mind to prevent injury and increase effectiveness.
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Myofascial Yoga recognizes that the fascial system is a liquid system that needs to be able to maintain its hydration, as well as its natural polyhedral shape. Understanding fascia, and how dysfunction in the fascial web leads to movement bias and compensation patterns, is the missing link in the effectiveness of a Yoga asana practice. In addition, understanding the fluid component of the fascial system is key to creating a conductive environment for the the tissues to heal, repair, and self correct. These elements are what make Myofascial Yoga unique, and increase its effectiveness for whole body healing.
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A typical Myofascial Yoga class might look something like this:
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• Lying on Myofascial Yoga balls and ‘following the fascial voice’ to uncover and release restrictions.
• Gentle rhythmic movements to break up holding patterns and create new pathways.
• Passive poses to release fascia and transition fascial fluid (gel to sol transition).
• Gentle rebounding to break up habitual movement compensation patterns.
• Unwinding to introduce the brain and nervous system to new, healthy, natural movements.
• Movement re-education done in mindfulness: practice of natural everyday movements executed with conscious awareness.
• Other forms of movement and stretching like PNF, resistance stretching, and muscle energy techniques to continue exploring ways to move and study biotensegrity (which may or may not look like the old traditional yoga poses).
• Functional strength movements done in mindfulness.
• More passive poses to settle the nervous system.
• Relaxation and mindfulness meditation.
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Fascia is a non-linear system and requires a ‘meet it where it is right now’ approach.
Because of this, the classes do not always follow this exact sequencing. Some exercises might be added, others subtracted, and the order might change accordingly. But I wanted to give you an idea of what a class could look like, with the intention of accessing and freeing up this amazing tissue (and liquid!).
Please don’t hesitate to ask me questions or send me a message at any time.