A: The definition of "core" varies from discipline to discipline: in yoga we talk about the bandhas, or energy "locks"; in Pilates it's abdominal and deep spinal muscles that we are after; Alexander technique focuses on the neck area; some other methods designate chest, top of the spine, or feet as central.

 

CoRe class is a blend of many disciplines (I hate being pigeonholed into using one and only one method). I believe in all-inclusive approach and holistic solutions. At its heart, Core Restore is a mix of yoga, Pilates, and movement correctives I've learned from my very movement-oriented physio. The majority of CoRe mat time is spent focusing on "renovating" all the major muscle chains around the center of the body and the hips.

 

I find that this approach - as promised by my very movement-oriented physio - works exceptionally well for myself, and also for the majority of my clients. This is exactly how I've solved many of the lower-body things I've struggled with in the past - including SI joint pain, low back, sciatic, and piriformis pain (yup, I've had them all and then some).

 

With all of that marvellous stuff said, the most important piece is this - and this is what sets Satori and Core Restore classes apart from all others:

 

There is no cookie-cutter "do this move X this amount of times" solution.

 

Each class and each session is distinctly unique – all of the content is tailored specifically to the current group and their movement challenges.

 

You will learn to recognize + analyze your unique, individual movement patterns, and then come up with equally unique + individual movement prescriptions that help you get better.

 

Q: Who is this class for?

A: Anyone, as long as you can get down onto the mat.

If you’ve had an injury, have experienced pregnancy or live with lower body pain, doing muscle specific exercises can teach you how to better stabilize during movement and help you move more efficiently in your daily life, whether it is getting off the couch, reaching for a cup in a cupboard, or picking up your kiddo off the floor.

 

Since this is an all-level class, there will be lots of movement options to choose from, depending on how you are feeling on any particular day and also where you are at in your practice.

 

Beginner Core Restore students will start by working on the A-B-C's of functional movement to lay the foundation for the upwards spiral; more experienced Core Restorers will have an option to combine the A-B-C's into a more complex movement patterns - if they choose to accept that challenge, that is!

 

Pain Neuroscience in general, and Pain Care Yoga in particular are the foundation of my own pain recovery and everything Satori Yoga is about.

 

How so?

 

Think about what happens when there's injury or pain.

 

The natural instinct is to immobilize the paining area, to guard and protect it, and to use other body parts in the mean time.

 

Studies show that tissue recovery can take up to 8 to 12 weeks. What happens when pain persists beyond the time needed for tissue recovery?

 

For years, I continued to avoid certain movements. I started to fear movement in general, because I was so afraid of re-injury. That lead me to believe that I was frail; that my body was fragile, ready to betray me at the slightest opportunity. Eventually I was just plain afraid to move, period.

 

That was the beginning of the vicious circle: once you stop moving, your tissues become weaker so they can tolerate less and less movement, and less and less movement can lead to pain. More pain means more fear, and more fear means less movement.

 

, does any of this sound even remotely familiar?

 

On the surface, Pain Care Yoga looks like a random assortment of gentle movements and breathing techniques. Dig a little deeper though, and you'll find that it is delicately - sometimes barely noticeably - de-threatens the edges of pain, and nudges the belief that pain is here to stay.

 

There is not a day goes by when I don't come back to Pain Care Yoga foundations in one way or another - whether it is dealing with a flare-up after a particularly challenging work-out or day on the trail, addressing the sleepless night, or just dealing with a situation that feels scary.

 

Pain Care Yoga is not a silver bullet or quick pill-like solution, although many participants report less pain immediately after the class. The effects of this practice are cumulative, so it really helps to have the class "come" to your house (no excuses!) and have a class replay, just in case.

Q: Who is this class for?

A: Anyone!

This class will meet you exactly right where you are, no matter what shape or condition you are in. You can practice on the mat or in the comfort of your own bed. You can turn the screen on or off, depending on how you feel on that particular day.

On the flare-up days you can simply listen and breathe with the group, visualizing the movements along with the rest of the class.

On the better days you can turn your screen on and get down onto the mat to practice along, or do the entire practice on your bed if the mat is not an option right now. 

You can do certain movements and rest + breathe through the more challenging - to - you ones, or you can throw in your physio-specific exercises into the mix.

 

P.S. Science have now proven, without a shadow of a doubt, that physical and emotional pain are processed by the brain in exactly the same ways. Having had a severe mental breakdown two years ago I can certainly testify to that. Pain Care Yoga can help, whether you are dealing with physical or emotional pain, or, as it often goes, the combination of both.

 

 

 

 

Dates: Mondays and Thursdays, September 13 to November 18

No classes on October 11 and November 11. 

Times: 6:00 to 7:15 pm, 75 minutes.

Cost: 220 + GST / 195$ + GST if registered before august 18. 

13 spots available (at the time of writing this e-mail)