Teacher Development: The World of Props - Part 2:  Twists & Backbends with Cathie Ryder

Sunday, November 1

1:30-3:30pm • Brookline & Livestream 

In the Iyengar tradition, props are not accessories — they are teachers. Quiet, steady, and endlessly patient, they reveal where the pose truly lives and how the body can meet it with intelligence, precision, and care.

In this second installment of The World of Props, we’ll focus specifically on twists and backbends, exploring how skillful prop use can create both stability and freedom in some of yoga’s most transformative pose families.

Together, we’ll investigate how props can clarify spinal actions, support healthy extension and rotation, reduce unnecessary strain, and create access to poses that might otherwise feel inaccessible. Through guided practice and exploration, participants will develop a deeper understanding of how props can refine action, enhance awareness, and support sustainable practice over time.

We’ll explore:

• prop-supported approaches to foundational twists and backbends

• how props can create both support and challenge

• understanding spinal extension and rotation more clearly through prop work

• strategies for working with stiffness, asymmetry, and limitation

• refining actions rather than simply achieving shapes

• using props to cultivate confidence, sensitivity, and longevity in practice

This session is ideal for teachers seeking greater clarity around prop use in twists and backbends, as well as practitioners interested in deepening their understanding of Iyengar methodology and intelligent, sustainable practice.

All levels are welcome.

You’ll leave with:

• practical prop setups for twists and backbends

• a clearer understanding of spinal actions and support

• greater confidence adapting poses for different bodies and abilities

• new tools for bringing precision, accessibility, and depth into your practice and teaching

Cost: $40

Required Props for Livestream Participants: Yoga blocks, yoga belt, blankets, bolster, chair, and a sturdy wall.

Please bring a yoga mat (rentals are available for $3 at the studio)

***For livestream participants: a Zoom invitation email will go out to pre-registered students 1 hour before the class. Please make sure we have the correct email address on file for you so you receive your invitation! Contact the studio at 617.566.9642 with any questions.***