Join Martha for an immersive deep dive into the complex architecture of the shoulders, where you’ll learn how to practice in a way that keeps them mobile and stable for years to come.
Open to yoga students and teachers alike, this 3.5-hour workshop blends lecture and practical application to help you truly understand what’s happening inside your shoulder joint every time you flow, plank, bind, or reach overhead.
We’ll begin with a clear and accessible anatomy overview, exploring the structures of the shoulder — including bones, muscles, ligaments, and even the lymphatic components that support overall shoulder health. You’ll gain insight into how specific muscles function, when they engage, and how they coordinate to create both mobility and stability. This portion is designed to demystify the mechanics of the shoulder so you can move with more intelligence and confidence.
Then we’ll take it to the mat. Through targeted warm-ups and thoughtfully selected seated and standing postures, you’ll learn how alignment impacts shoulder function in real time. We’ll explore practical, sustainable cues you can use in your own practice (and teaching) to help you recognize what healthy engagement feels like and how to avoid common compensation patterns.
We’ll close with a nourishing myofascial release session and shoulder-centered Yin practice. Using therapy balls and blocks, you’ll learn how to locate and release tension, identify trigger points, and restore space in overworked areas. The workshop concludes with long-held, supportive shapes designed to stretch and soothe the shoulders and surrounding tissues, leaving you feeling spacious, informed, and empowered.