Online Yoga Training for a Healthy Back
with Robin Rothenberg

Chronic neck and shoulder tension often reflects an imbalance in the muscular recruitment of the shoulder girdle, in particular the action of the shoulder blades. Rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder and bursitis all can manifest as a result of immobility and weakness in the stabilizers of the mid-back. Repetitive recruitment of the chest and neck with disordered breathing can additional exacerbate tension and pain. Functional movement  in the shoulder blades through activation of the ‘mid-back core' ensures healthy shoulder movement, releasing pressure on the tendons of the ball joint. Proper breathing mechanics support relaxation in the neck, jaw and throughout the upper body. This webinar will address the anatomy of the shoulder girdle with an eye to increasing function and practical ways to adapt asana and facilitate shoulder stability, while reinforcing the importance of diaphragmatic-abdominally supported breathing to break the chest breathing habit. Practice will demonstrate a combination of somatic release, undulation, and strength work, linking posture and core support from the base of the spine all the way up through the neck core.

In this course you will:

• Learn basic anatomy of the shoulder girdle

• Become familiar with the ‘mid-back core’ and how to access it

• Understand the proper ‘set’ or positioning of the shoulder blades

• Develop proprioceptive awareness of the scapulae and how to mobilize them

• Learn why stretching the neck and shoulders rarely results in lasting change

• Develop appreciation for the link between the abdominal core, mid-back core, and neck core to sustain postural stability and mobility.

• Learn how utilize core engagement to transform the breath and release hypertonicity of the upper traps, levator scapulae, pectorals and scalenes