Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Ask Lynn”
Do you throw your shoulders back in an effort to improve your posture? How’s that going? Contrary to years of admonishments from our mothers and other elders to stand up straight, achieving healthy posture is way more complicated than simply pulling ourselves into an erect stance. A variety of elements go into the way we carry ourselves, including heredity, structural symmetry, …
I can usually predict that my clients and students will have joint issues in their hands during the winter, but it’s now spring and the complaints are still coming in. It may be a weather-related thing, but I suspect a different culprit. Our hands and wrists are home to some of the body’s true workhorse joints, about 27 of them on each side, give or …
At any given moment, approximately 20-30% of us are in the throes of an episode of acute, nonspecific back pain. The American Spinal Decompression Association speculates that at least 80% of the US population will experience mild to severe pain lasting anywhere from a month to many years at some point in their lives. The source of pain may vary, …
This question comes from a student of mine who is working her way through the lingering effects of a couple of serious accidents. It’s been two years and she’s frustrated and discouraged with her perceived lack of progress. She’s anxious to restore function to her former level and asks if she doing something wrong. Having been through a similar experience, I’ve learned that the …
Question from Sean M. in East Detroit, MI Hi Lynn, I’ve noticed lately that my negative thoughts/feelings never come independent of a physical experience. I always feel shaky, my chest gets tight, and it’s hard to breathe. Should we try to experience our (negative) emotions as physical experiences? Does yoga help you free yourself of them? Lynn answers: Hi Sean, …
Question from Sandy O. in Southbury, CT: Hi Lynn, I have Osteoporosis and need to learn poses that will help me and my students manage this condition safely. I love yoga and teach elderly people. (I am one myself!) Lynn answers: Hi Sandy, Your interest in understanding how to work with Osteoporosis is well founded. First, a bit about the condition …
When people find out what I do, they often feel compelled to explain why they can’t or won’t do yoga. While I think that every person should follow their own bliss, those reasons are more often than not based on a flawed perception of what it means to practice. Popular culture has a way of reducing everything to an elevator …
Question from Jim B. in Chicago: Hi Lynn, My doctor has recommended Yoga as a way of dealing with the residual effects of trauma from an auto accident. I’ve finished physical therapy and am cleared to go back to normal activities, but I’m worried about reinjuring myself. I tried a class at my gym but it was very vigorous. It’s …
Question from Julie M in Michigan: Hi Lynn, Life is very stressful right now and it’s starting to interfere with my effectiveness and concentration. I’m always worried. I thought I’d give meditation a shot based on everything I’ve been reading, but to be honest I’m not sure I’m doing it right. I tell myself to relax and stop thinking, but …