Therapeutic Tip of the Month: March

Roll to one side and prop yourself up for many benefits.

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reclined half moon by joanne varni _ bto

Reclined half moon allows us to open up our side body, which has a tendency to be constricted and tight. This posture allows the muscles in between the ribs (intercostal muscles) to gently stretch, keeping them soft and spacious and giving more freedom to the lungs as we breathe.  Bringing the arm above the head supports lymphatic draining, which helps keep our body clear of toxins. And because there is also a gentle side bend, this posture creates length and ultimately promotes spine health. Finally, all of the muscles and fascia on the side body have an opportunity to be stressed and stretched, creating circulation and energy flow.

Picture of Joanne Varni

Joanne Varni

Joanne's philosophy as a yoga teacher is to help people who seek personal empowerment feel connected to their bodies, quiet their mind, stimulate a healthy nervous system, and release tension in the body caused by stress, anxiety, or trauma. Her teaching technique uses a combination of breath work, meditation, gentle asanas, somatic yoga, and neurogenic tremoring. Additionally, Joanne specializes in helping those with trauma (including PTSD) and has attended and completed her Level II certification in TRE (Trauma/tension release exercises) with Dr. David Bercelli. She is also certified as TSY teacher (Trauma Sensitive Yoga) under the renowned guidance of trauma researcher and pioneer Dr. Bessel van der Kolk (The Trauma Center at JRI). Joanne teaches classes, workshops, teacher trainings, as well as running retreats locally and internationally. She also teaches Yoga for Trauma Recovery at the VA Hospital in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and San Jose, California and has voluntarily taught yoga to women incarcerated at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas and the Center for Survivors of Torture in San Jose. Joanne is an ERYT500 and earned her 200 hour and 500 hour YA certification through Jennifer Prugh’s YA certified “JOY of Yoga” teacher training. She completed her Therapeutic Yoga teacher training with Cheri Clampett and Arturo Peal and her Yin Yoga Teacher training under Paul and Suzy Grilley. A twenty-year resident of Los Gatos, she enjoys spending time with her husband John, and children, Anthony, Steven, and Nicole.

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