Faculty - Margot McKinnon

Forward head carriage is so prevalent in today's society! It can contribute to significant strain and tension in the neck and shoulder region, as well as all the way down the body. When this person engages in a Yoga practice the neck and shoulder area often protests and can even feel worse as a result. In this workshop we will unravel the complexity of the cervical region, and look at how to help people recondition the cervical region to move beyond strain during their practice and carry their heads with more power and ease.

?In movement and exercise classes across North America, 75% are women between the ages of 30 and 60. And, within this population, we will soon be looking at one in two living with osteoporosis. This presents an interesting challenge from a movement, strength and flexibility perspective because we need to know how to choose and design exercise prescriptions that will not put people at risk for fracture or, at the very least, exacerbate the risk factors associated with osteopenia and osteoporosis. This course is packed with current information and analysis of these conditions. We provide a detailed map of how to ensure the exercises you teach are bone safe, and as effective as possible for building bone density. You will leave equipped with the tools to work proactively with the specialized needs of people with osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Pelvic floor health is suddenly on the radar and proving to be a huge factor in everything, from SI joint and back pain to pelvic and hip issues of all sorts! Join us in this informative workshop to demystify the layers of muscle and fascia that comprise the pelvic floor, and to review its functional relationship to the rest of the body. You will leave with a clear understanding of the pelvic floor's supportive role and a set of the best practices to condition this area of the body.

Optimal functioning of the sacroiliac joint is essential for a happy back, hips, and knees. And, SI joint pain can seriously limit what a person can do in your classes. Learn how the SI joint functions along with simple techniques and movements to help people with hypermobility, hypomobility and pelvic imbalances.

"This day-long introduction to the Pilates repertoire includes a brief historical overview, key movement principles for the body's kinetic chain, and mat exercises that build from the Body Harmonics Foundation repertoire to Pilates Classics.?We lay the groundwork for the entire Pilates system of movement, with focus on ways to design a basic mat class that can stand alone or be incorporated into a yoga-based program. You will leave with a variety of exercise ideas and effective ways to make the Pilates repertoire work in any setting so people feel strong, aligned and de-stressed.?Learning Objectives? Master the essential Pilates mat repertoire? Learn strategies for concise cueing and class design? Explore movement mechanics of spine, hip and shoulder complex, applicable in any class"