PCBE-FC-Textbook
Seeking to Understand the Anatomy of the Core?Increase Your Capability & Confidence as a Teacher?
The “true core” muscles lie in the back of the body. Click to enlarge.
Many Yoga teachers feel intimidated by what they perceive as the daunting and potentially dry topic of anatomy. Yet understanding anatomy is often what distinguishes a good teacher from a great one. Scientifically accurate knowledge of the body gives you the skill to truly understand how to work safely and effectively with your students.Your free Guide to Unraveling Lower Back Pain contains my go-to practice for anyone with lower back pain. A first impression may leave you thinking that this practice is pretty boring and why would you bother? When you understand the anatomy behind this deceptively simple position you gain incredible insight into why a simple position such as this done precisely, can make a huge difference.Many of my clients have said this one position has made more difference to them than all the other yoga postures they’ve learned. Understanding Anatomy Means You Can Implement that Knowledge in Your ClassesOur evolution from standing on four legs to upright biped radically changed the stress on the psoas muscles. Now the psoas muscle is under considerable tension just in the simple act of straightening the legs when standing or lying down. When you understand this anatomical evolution, you’ll appreciate why so many of your students intuitively know to bend their knees to reduce discomfort in their lower back. They are trying to release an already tight psoas!
Psoas in Quadrupeds
Psoas in Bipeds
My StoryI began having back problems when I was in my early twenties and despite intensive chiropractic and bodywork treatment my lower back pain became worse. That is when I decided to study medical anatomy and to read the work of cutting edge somatic researchers such as Ida Rolf’s Integration of Human Structures and Thomas Hanna’s Somatics. As my understanding of anatomy increased, this empowered me to not only heal my own back, but to help my Yoga students to work safely and with much better results.Today as I teach around the world, there is an epidemic of Yoga practitioners suffering from reoccurring injuries and discomfort caused through over-stretching and repetitive end-range movements. We now know that stability and strength is as important as mobility.
We now know there us no scientific backing for the common phrase: “No pain, no gain.”
Pathways to a Centered Body:Worth a Place in Your Yoga Library
- Build your anatomical knowledge with an exceptionally clear reference book that gives you a deeper understanding of the psoas so you can practice confidently and safely.
- Experiential anatomy inquiries help you translate theory into practice, for yourself and your students. Learn to soften, hydrate, balance and strengthen the core body.
- Follow a step by step protocol that in some cases gives rapid relief from persistent pain.
- Learn variations for specific spinal issues and incorporate over eight practice sequences including The Decompression Series and Sacroiliac Discomfort and Sciatica.
- Over 20 core specific poses and practices with clear colour photographs, and includes benefits, contraindications, equipment needed and many practice variations to gently support those with pain or limited movement.
Sequence F (Balancing Scoliosis)- partial. Click to enlarge.
The Pathways Book and Ball PackageI am on a mission to heal lower back pain, so I am offering two great bonuses to make it easier to implement the practices in the book.Buy the book at the standard rate of $34.95 plus shipping of $11.80 and you’ll get these two bonuses for free (USA mainland only):
- The Muscle Release ball (normally $11.95) a simple prop as used in the Pathways book.
- Companion video– a downloadable 20-minute video with three dynamic core practices, (normally $11.95).
- Total bonus value of $23.90.
Bonus OneThe Muscle Release Ball
- This can help provide profound relief in lower back discomfort. Easily adjusts for different body sizes and shapes.
- Very comfortable to use.
- User CheckLong lasting, non-slip and phthalate free.
- Normally $11.95 and today – FREE.
Bonus TwoPathways to a Centered Body – Companion Video
- Gain a deeper understanding of the subtleties of 3 dynamic practices as Donna unpacks them step by step.
- 20 Minute downloadable video of 3 of the core practices in the Pathways book.
- Normally $11.95 and today – FREE.
Buy Now $70.65 $46.75What Others Are Saying
“Learn Multiple Protocols”
I love this book! Farhi and Stuart have created a manual that is intelligent, in-depth, and manages to be grounded in the physical realm while connecting us to our hearts, our histories and our spirits. It roots us in the anatomy illuminating our true core, and offers beautifully illustrated explorations, exercises and approaches to familiar Yoga poses. We learn multiple protocols designed to help us find, release, balance and/or strengthen the Iliopsoas system safely and mindfully. This gentle work will be of interest to yogis and Yoga teachers, bodyworkers and anyone who wants to live a centered and healthy life.
Annie Carpenter – Creator of SmartFlow Yoga
“This Book Should Be Required Reading For Yoga Therapists, Physical Therapists, Pilates, Somatics and Other Movement Teachers”
A unique contribution to a deeper understanding of core stability, back pain, and easeful movement. With a focus upon the role of the psoas, this book provides clear, step-by-step guidelines for a somatic self-inquiry that will lead to structural and functional balance and deep healing. This book should form an important part of the required reading for Yoga therapists, physical therapists, Pilates, Somatics and other movement teachers, and sports trainers.
Leigh Blashki – C-IAYT, Past President Yoga Australia, IAYT Certification Committee, Associate Director Integrative Restoration Institute Australasia
“I return again and again to this book”
If you want to go deeper into your understanding of how your body works, to find blind spots and start working with the core buy this book! I now approach my personal Asana practice and teaching with much more confidence. Several long-standing issues in my body have been addressed and improved.
Fifteen years of strong Asana practice left me in a lot of pain (sacroiliac joints, lumbar, dorsal, meniscus and cervical spine). My science background led me to look outside my lineage for answers. I return again and again to this book, re-read and re-experiment. Now the core is central to my work. My favourite new insight is that “Mobility of the periphery depends on the stability of the core”. It is NOT strong abdominals that give stability, but the sense of the central cylinder.
I now understand my own imbalances (scoliosis, QL, psoas) and have found new ways to balance them. Daily, I can help my students find new ways to move with ease, some of these students have been with me for a decade.
Martina Marre – Practising since 1994, full time Yoga teacher since 2002, 1:1 teacher trainer and mentor.
“I Turn To This Book Weekly”
Personally, I have L4, L5 disc issues and many, many clients with back pain.
I turn to this book weekly as I really like how the sequence pages are clear and easy to follow. My students keep coming back saying it’s the only class where they can learn simple poses that they can do at home that really work!
Joan Miller – Therapeutic Yoga TeacherPathways to a Centered Body Lower Back Pain PackageI am on a mission to heal lower back pain. So I am offering two great bonuses:Buy the Pathways book TODAY at the standard rate of $34.95 plus shipping of $11.80 and you’ll get these two bonuses (USA mainland only):
- The Muscle Release Ball, a simple prop as used in the Pathways book – normally $11.95 and today no cost.
- Plus the Companion video – a downloadable 20 minute video where I demonstrate 3 of the core practices in the Pathways book, normally $11.95 and today no cost.
- User CheckTotal bonus value $23.90.
About Donna
Donna Farhi
Donna Farhi is a Yoga teacher who has been practicing for over 40 years and teaching since 1982. As a post-lineage pioneer, Donna has been at the forefront of generating a new model for teaching and practice that fosters self-inquiry through the cultivation of each person’s inner reference system. Going beyond the archaic pedagogic model that is characterised by “Simon Says” mimicry and rigid formulaic methodology, her approach is to create a safe learning environment where her students can investigate, adapt and evolve their practice to honor their individual needs.Incorporating the rigorous backing of anatomical principles for safe and sustainable practice, Donna offers progressive levels of engagement that allow people of all levels of experience and from all traditions to build their own authentic Yoga practice.Considered the “teacher of teachers” students return to Donna’s intensives year after year to be a part of the inspiring evolution of Donna’s own practice and teaching. Donna is the author of four contemporary classics: The Breathing Book, Yoga Mind, Body & Spirit: A Return to Wholeness, Bringing Yoga to Life: The Everyday Practice of Enlightened Living, and Teaching Yoga: Exploring the Teacher-Student Relationship which is a curricular text for teaching trainings worldwide. Pathways to a Centered Body: Gentle Yoga Therapy for Core Stability, Healing Back Pain and Moving with Ease her fifth and most recent book, co-authored with Leila Stuart, is fast becoming the go-to text for Yoga teachers, therapists and somatic practitioners.Buy Now $70.65 $46.75
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