Part 2: March 6-7, 2027, 8-11 am, Pacific Standard Time; $250
Both parts: $450
Yoga asanas can effectively remediate most forms of back pain — but only once the underlying cause has been identified correctly. In this workshop, you’ll learn the most common causes of lower back pain, which account for about 90% of cases, and how to recognize each one.
The right therapeutic yoga approach differs by condition. Sciatica, for instance, can present with similar symptoms across very different underlying causes — yet the treatment appropriate for one type of sciatica may be contraindicated for another.
Loren Fishman will explain how to identify conditions such as spinal stenosis, herniated disc, and spondylolisthesis, covering the anatomy behind each and the general asana approach suited to treating it. Lisa Walford will then demonstrate the specific asanas most effective for relieving lower back pain associated with each condition. A selection of poses will be demonstrated by Liz Larson, a yoga teacher who has worked with Loren Fishman for more than a decade.
To add another layer of complexity: forward bends can help resolve spinal stenosis, but the same movement may permanently worsen a herniated disc. This workshop will teach you how to recognize the cause of nearly any case of back pain — and how to apply the yoga that actually resolves it, rather than aggravates it.
The workshop is divided into two parts, each held over a weekend, with a 3-hour session on both Saturday and Sunday. You may sign up for one part or both.
Recommended props
Yoga mat; 2 each of belts, blocks, and blankets; 2 or more bolsters; and either 2 chairs or 1 chair and 1 stool.
Prerequisites
None. Students and teachers of all levels and systems are welcome.
Pricing
Part 1: $250
Part 2: $250
Parts 1 and 2: $450
Note that (1) the registration fee is for one person only; (2) we do not supply separate invoices; and (3) workshop registration is non-refundable.
Workshop Recording
Recordings of each weekend’s sessions will be available on Monday. Registrants may watch them free of charge for two weeks after the weekend ends. Recordings are available only for the parts you registered for.
CE Credits
Continuing education credit with IYNAUS is available. This is an Approved Professional Development (APD) course for the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT).
Loren Fishman
Loren Fishman, MD, is medical director of Manhattan Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, author of 14 books and more than 100 academic articles, a world-recognized pioneer in the use of yoga in medical conditions, and in the treatment of lower back pain and piriformis syndrome. He spent three years in India, one of them with BKS Iyengar, before going to medical school.
He also is associate editor of Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation, on the staff at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons and a past president of the New York Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Fishman has an advanced degree in Philosophy from Oxford University.
Lisa Walford
Lisa Walford has been a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher since 1988, holds a Level 3 certification, and is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT). She taught in the Los Angeles area for more than thirty years and has presented at IAYT conferences. She co-created the teacher training program at Casey Integrated Health Institute, co-developed the teacher training program for Yoga Works, and has co-authored two books: The Anti-Aging Plan and The Longevity Diet.