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MORE ABOUT SARAH

I help students recover their capacity to move with ease, grace and power.  Rather than reinforcing obsolete movement habits, students are challenged to discover new ways of moving and being in their bodies.


After twenty years of yoga and over two decades of professionally studying the human body in motion, my approach draws from the best techniques of therapeutic yoga, physical therapy, and a variety of mindful Eastern and Western movement systems.


My expertise in anatomy deeply informs how I teach. By learning how to accurately FEEL the body, one learns how to manage pain and listen to what it needs. I revise traditional cues, and reject one-size-fits-all approaches. Instead, I use a collaborative approach, where each student discovers how to find the best actions and cues for their own body.


One-on-one in privates, I extend this compassionate intuition with skilled body reading to address a range of physical restrictions, chronic conditions and injuries. My specialty is spinal conditions and postural disorders, including scoliosis, neck and back pain, hyper-lordosis/hyper-kyphosis and sacroiliac dysfunction. I enjoy collaborating with a client’s physical therapist, personal trainer and other professionals to develop a customized movement program.


I receive continuing education training in Advanced Yoga Therapeutics annually with  Doug Keller, Dr. Loren Fishman and other IAYT Certified internationally renowned master teachers.

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For research papers on Yoga Therapy's benefits for multiple conditions, please visit: https://yogatherapy.health/research/.

EXPERIENCE

Mapping the obstacles to Healing takes Training

Training & Education​

1997 - 2024

  • Upcoming: Movement System Syndromes of the Shoulder and Cervical Spine, Shirley Sahrmann, et al., 14 hours October 2024

  • The Vayus, Myofascial Maps and Our Autonomic Nervous Systems, 6.25 hours, Doug Keller, August 2024

  • Biopsychosocial Aspects of Movement System Syndromes, Shirley Sahrmann, August 2024

  • Shoulder Biomechanical Evidence, July 2024

  • The Nerve Tour, Gil Hedley, PhD, July 2024

  • Movement System Syndromes of the Shoulder, Shirley Sahrmann, et al., 14 hours, June 2024

  • The Role of Motor Learning in Movement System Syndromes, Renee Roth Powers DPT, May 2024

  • Muscle Performance in Movement System Syndromes, Neuromuscular Adaptations, Crowe & Civello DPT, May 2024

  • Shoulder Biomechanics: Stiffness & Flexibility, Andrew Piraino DPT, April 2024

  • Case Presentations-Shoulder, Dr. Shirley Sahrmann, April 2024

  • Movement System Syndromes of the Knee, Dr. Sylvia Czuppon, March 2024

  • Movement System Syndromes of the Ankle, Dr. Mary Hastings, March 2024

  • Upper Quarter Basics, Dr. Shirley Sahrmann, Winter 2023

  • Advanced Lower Quarter Movement System Impairment, Dr. Shirley Sahrmann September 30-October 1, 2023

  • The Movement System in Non-Arthritic Hip Pain, Dr. RobRoy Martin, Sahrmann Lectureship, September 29, 2023

  • Lumbar Movement Systems Impairments Case Studies #1-2, Dr. Shirley Sahrmann, August 15 and September 19, 2023

  • Evidence for Movement System Impairments, Dr. Shirley Sahrmann, July 18, 2023

  • Introduction to Lumbar Spine Movement System Impairment Syndromes, Dr. Shirley Sahrmann, June 10-11, 2023 (Participation award granted to Sarah)

  • Upper & Lower Abdominals, Dr. Shirley Sahrmann, June 2023

  • Swatantrya: Therapeutic Wisdom of Yoga/Yoga As Therapy Trainings, Doug Keller: 256 hours from 2012-2022 (32 hrs/year)

  • Yoga for Osteoporosis Continuing Education, Series 3, Dr. Loren Fishman, June 2023

  • Intro to Movement System Impairment Syndromes of the Lumbar Spine, Shirley Sahrmann DPT, 16 hours, May 2023

  • Lower Quarter Basics, Shirley Sahrmann and Suzy Cornbleet, DPT, 42 lessons, May 2023

  • Upper & Lower Abdominals Lectures, Suzy Cornbleet DPT, May 2023

  • Yoga for Scoliosis Continuing Education: Scoliosis: Solid Success and New Findings, Dr. Loren Fishman, Feb 2023

  • Dysfunction in the Nervous System: Long Haul Covid, Doug Keller, June 22, 2022

  • Adaptive Yoga Therapy for Core Stability and Balance, Gil Solberg, 24 hours, April 2016

  • Yoga for Osteoporosis Certification & Training Dr. Loren Fishman & Ellen Saltonstall 40 hours February 2017. I am certified as a Yoga for Osteoporosis Instructor.

  • Yoga for Scoliosis Training Dr. Loren Fishman & Ellen Saltonstall, April 2015

  • Yoga for the Pelvic Floor Teacher Training, Leslie Howard, June 14-18, 2014

  • Therapeutic Yoga Apprenticeship Training Gabriel Halpern 12 hours January 2009

  • Therapeutic Yoga Apprenticeship Gabriel Halpern 928 hours Oct. 30, 2008-November 2013 (1:1 mentoring as I taught 1-7 clients)

  • Fascial Fitness, Thomas Myers, 2-day Course 2012

  • Myofascial Meridians. Thomas Myers, 2-day Course 2013

  • Move Better, Feel Better: Feldenkrais Awareness Summit 2021

  • Unpacking Cultural Appropriation in Yoga, Wellness and Healthcare Environments, February 2020

  • Postpartum Pelvic Floor Recovery Training, April 2020

  • Mindfulness Practices for Getting Pronouns Right; Pronouns in Practice, October 2020

  • Seeing Clearly, Feldenkrais Training for Eye Health, Fall 2019

  • Yoga for Structural Conditions, Gary Kraftsow, Midwest Yoga Journal Conference July 2011

  • Awakening the Pelvic Floor, Leslie Howard, 2011

  • 90 Minutes to Change the World (Teacher Development) with Amy Ippoliti Spring 2011

  • Superheroes 90 Minutes to Change the World (Advanced Teacher Development) with Amy Ippoliti Summer 2011

  • Tias Little Anatomy Teacher Training & Workshops:

    • SATYA 1 Teacher Training, 25 hours, 2018

    • Asana Intensive 6 hours, 2017

    • Skin & Immunity, 2016

    • Asana Intensive, 2015

    • Asana Intensive, 10 hours, 2010

    • 19.5 hours, 2008

  • Yoga for Healthy Hamstrings, Doug Keller, 2011

  • Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Silent Meditation Retreat and Weekly Group Classes Winter 2010

  • Purna Yoga Teacher Training Aadil Palkhivala 30 hours 2008

  • Moksha Yoga 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (800 hours logged) 2008-2009

  • Events Manager for Generations Yoga from 2010-2011

  • Volunteer Staff for Moksha Yoga & Sweet Peas Yoga, 2002-2007

  • Stop and Breathe™ Relaxation Coach Training November 2008

  • BA in Political Philosophy, Catholic University of America, 1995

  • Graduate work towards completion of MAPSS (Master of Arts in the Social Sciences) Anthropology of Ethics, University of Chicago, 1996-97

  • Integrated Approach to Teaching & Learning (IAT&L) trainings (EMDR, relaxation training, Tai Chi, Yoga and Massage training for Riding Instructors) 1998-2000

  • Professional Horse Trainer & Dressage Riding Instructor utilizing IAT&L and Centered Riding techniques to help riders be in their body and relax while riding, Metropolitan Chicago area, 1997-2008

 

 

Teaching Experience

1997 - Present

  • More than 7000 hours of yoga client instruction since 2008: I work primarily one-on-one in privates with clients. I teach 2-4 group classes a week and between 45 and 60 privates a month. I see 3-6 private clients a day.

  • 4-10 workshops and class series annually, 2008-ongoing:

    • Yoga & Scoliosis​

    • Yoga for Better Posture: Neck & Shoulders

    • Yoga for Better Posture: Hips & Low Back

    • Yoga for Better Posture: Knees & Feet

    • Yoga for Insomnia and Better Sleep

    • Pain & Injury in Yoga

    • Movement Makeover: Balance & Coordination

    • Yoga for Hypermobility

    • Yoga for the Stiffer Student

    • Body Reading for Teachers: Seeing Shapes

    • Yoga for Hamstring Injuries

    • Yoga for Golfers

    • Yoga for a Sophisticated Core

    • How to Teach using Yoga Props

    • Yoga for Posture Revolution

    • Yoga for Osteoporosis & Aging

    • Therapeutic Yoga Group Class Series

    • The Balance Class Series

    • Yoga & Breath Practices for Different Ribcage Shapes

  • Faculty Instructor, Yogaview 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training Program. Anatomy & Biomechanics, Working with Injuries, Teaching Beginners and Teaching Practice, 2016-2017

  • Mentoring and training established teachers 1:1 and in workshops for Continuing Education, 2009-ongoing.

  • Mentoring Apprentices for therapeutic yoga, particularly in postural assessment, Yoga Circle, 2010-2013.

  • Therapeutic Yoga Apprenticeship Gabriel Halpern 928 hours Oct. 30, 2008-November 2013 (1:1 mentoring as I taught 1-7 clients)

  • Professional Horse Trainer & Dressage Riding Instructor utilizing IAT&L and Centered Riding techniques to help riders be in their body and relax while riding, Metropolitan Chicago area, 1997-2008.

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