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