what do you mean by therapeutics?
“It's not how deep you go, it's how you go deep.”
— Ida Rolf
Helllllloooo Practitioners,
Last week while teaching the Theory of Therapeutics a student asked: "what exactly do you mean by “therapeutics”?"
Good question.
Merriam-Webster has the definition: having a beneficial effect on the body or mind. The Cambridge Dictionary says having a healing effect.
From my vantage point, “therapeutics” is when yoga asana becomes a healing art. And this doesn't arise from the poses themselves, but your alignment in body, breath, and being.
I use a system for assessing bodies and prescribing practice. It starts with functional breathing. (If you haven’t taken the Breathe Better Challenge, go get it!).
The next organizing principle is Bony Landmarks. These are points of grounding and guiding. In the beginning, they feel like juggling. Over time, they're a current of connection. To accompany events at Padma Studio a few weeks ago, we created a Bony Landmarks resource page with tutorials, practices, and slides. Get it here.
These mini-courses and resources are part of the school's evolution into more education-orientation (and less studio-esque). You'll see this in full bloom with the Embodiment Education Series coming up soon. These classes will be co-taught with Doctor of Physical Therapy Trina Mann. Trina is the founder of Mindset + Movements and creator of Practical Strength (isn't that enticing?) During Embodiment Education, we'll dive into the follow topics:
How to Build Better Bone - Monday 5/15, 4:15pm PST
How to Maintain Muscle - Wednesday 5/17, 4:15pm PST
Discover the Power of Pain - Monday 5/22, 4:15pm PST
Each class is 90 minutes with a 30-minute presentation by Trina, a 40-minute movement practice with me, and a little wiggle room for Q&A. Register here: Embodiment Education. You can sign up for the series or individual classes. All sessions will be recorded and posted on a resource page.
And lastly, you can download the Theory of Therapeutics slides here.
May your practice take you to new places,
Alison
