Approximately 80 precent of the population suffers from chronic, or episodic, lower back pain. This can occur for many different reasons, yet how we move, sleep, and sit can dramatically impact our backs' health. Often, proper balancing of the deep flexor muscles of the “core” with the extensor muscles of the lower back/pelvis can improve low back pain—and yoga is a wonderful medium for this to occur! This workshop discusses the functioning of the iliopsoas muscle, the alignment of the pelvis, and the risks of excessive sitting and poor sleep hygiene. It also provides guidance on how to address and trouble-shoot our students’ and personal lower back pain.

Presenter Jenny Loftus facilitates a Q&A based on her previous workshop, All About the SI Joint. Event participants have the opportunity to ask questions in real time and review information that will deepen their understanding of SI joint anatomy and its application(s) in yoga. For reference, the original workshop recording can be found archived on yourya.org or on our YouTube channel.

In the “forest” of the body, the psoas major is a very influential “tree” because it crosses so many joints and significantly impacts the lumbo-sacral-hip complex. For reasons discussed in this workshop, the psoas major can become dysfunctional and contribute to low back and hip problems. Come explore, demystify, and get to know the psoas major in this workshop, which covers anatomy and functions of the psoas major, why it likes to cause trouble, and what we can do about it with wise use of our yoga practice. The event includes both lecture and practice.