Yoga for a Healthy Spine: Movement, Awareness and Safe, Sustainable Practice

This practical and interactive workshop will help yoga teachers and practitioners better understand spinal movement, spinal health and the safe inclusion of people experiencing back pain, neck pain, stiffness or previous spinal injuries.

The session will combine relevant spinal anatomy and physiology with practical movement education using familiar yoga postures. We will explore how the spine moves, how other areas such as the hips, pelvis, rib cage and shoulders influence spinal loading, and how practices can be modified for people with different levels of mobility, strength, pain and confidence.

The focus will be on helping yoga teachers support safe and sustainable participation while recognising the limits of their role and identifying when further assessment by an appropriate healthcare professional may be required.

The workshop will cover:

• The basic anatomy and movement of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, including the influence of the pelvis, hips, shoulders and rib cage

• The difference between mobility, flexibility, stability, strength and movement control, and why greater flexibility is not always better

• Common movement compensations and the role of breathing, muscle activation and whole-body control during yoga practice

• Practical modifications for people experiencing spinal pain, stiffness, previous injury or reduced movement confidence

• Precautions, warning signs and guidance on when a posture should be modified, discontinued or referred for further assessment

Practical examples will be included throughout the session so participants can apply the information to common yoga movements and teaching situations.

Key benefits for yoga teachers and practitioners:

Participants will develop greater confidence in:

• Understanding how the spine moves and responds to different postures and loads

• Recognising common compensations and avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach to alignment

• Modifying practices for participants with back pain, neck pain, stiffness or previous injury

• Balancing flexibility with strength, stability, breathing and movement control

• Recognising when symptoms should not be pushed through and when professional assessment may be appropriate

A central theme of the presentation will be:

“A healthy spine is not simply a flexible spine. It is a spine that can move, adapt, tolerate load and remain supported with confidence and control.”

About the Presenter:

Mukul Singla is an AHPRA-registered musculoskeletal physiotherapist and the Director and Principal Physiotherapist of Therapia Sports & Spine in Adelaide.

With more than 24 years of clinical experience, Mukul has a particular interest in spinal rehabilitation, persistent back and neck pain, movement assessment, pre- and post-operative rehabilitation, and progressive strength and flexibility programs.

He holds bachelor’s and master’s qualifications in physiotherapy, with postgraduate training in musculoskeletal, orthopaedic, sports and manual physiotherapy. His broader movement education includes Hatha Yoga, Surya Kriya, Angamardana, pranayama, Pilates-based rehabilitation and functional strengthening.

His teaching brings together physiotherapy, functional anatomy, yoga and movement awareness to help teachers and practitioners support safer, more confident and sustainable movement.

Learn more here: https://therapia.com.au/

CPD Points: Attending this event allows teachers to claim 2 CPD (Continuing Professional Development) points.

Location: This workshop will be held at Yoga Spirit Studio in Adelaide. This is an In Person event only, with no recording or virtual access available.

Please note, we will require minimum attendee numbers for this event to proceed. If minimum numbers are not reached, we may need to postpone or cancel this event, in which case attendees will be able to reschedule or be offered a refund.

If you have any questions about this event, please email Erin at events@yogaaustralia.org.au