5: Bernie Clark on Yin Yoga, Fascia, and Your Spine

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy

In this episode, Matt interviews Bernie Clark, author of Your Body Your Yoga and other books, discussing his journey into yoga, his influential works on yin yoga, and his deep dive into human anatomy and variations. They address the scientific and experiential aspects of Yin Yoga, the importance of stress and rest on tissues, and the dynamic nature of pain and recovery. They also touch on the evolution of yoga therapy and the nuances of teaching yoga with a focus on individual variations. The episode includes insights into how anatomical differences impact yoga practice and refutes common misconceptions with a critical and informed approach.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Your Body Your Yoga by Bernie Clark
• Bone Photos from the Paul and Suzee Grilley Website
• That infamous Callaghan and McGill study about flexion/extension on dead pig spines

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:11 Bernie Clark's Journey into Yoga

02:34 Discovering Yin Yoga and Human Variation

03:47 The Importance of Anatomy in Yoga

14:07 Challenges and Evolution in Yoga Teaching

23:54 Yoga Therapy and Scientific Validation

32:53 Understanding Muscle Tension: Hypertonic vs. Hypotonic

33:11 The Role of the Immune System in Muscle Stiffness

33:51 Hormonal Influences on Fascia and Injury Risks

34:22 Tension vs. Compression: Limits of Flexibility

35:02 Personal Experiences with Compression and Injury

36:35 The Reality of Physical Limitations in Yoga

37:47 Debunking Myths: Yoga and Bone Structure

38:57 The Debate on Fascia and Yin Yoga

40:35 Targeting vs. Isolating Fascia in Yoga

42:00 The Science Behind Long-Held Yoga Poses

51:04 Stress and Recovery: The Key to Tissue Health

57:25 The Controversial Credit Card Analogy

01:04:56 Final Thoughts and Current Endeavors

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