RSIHelp.com - What's New

Deborah Quilter will be appearing at the Feldenkrais Center for Movement Education in
San Francisco May 2-4.

For information and registration, visit: WWW.FELDENKRAISSF.COM or call: 415-826-3680

Deborah Quilter will be interviewed on Martha Stewart Living Radio, Sirius 112, Feb. 21 around 7:10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. If you don't have Sirius, you can get a free 3-day guest pass by going to Sirius.com and clicking "listen online."

ADAPTING YOGA FOR UPPER BODY INJURIES AND RSI:
A POSITIVE, INDIVIDUALIZED APPROACH

Many people suffer from pain or injuries in the neck, shoulders, elbows and wrists, often from computer use or other hand-intensive activities. People seeking relief from Yoga frequently find that the repertoire of postures in standard classes can make their injuries worse instead of helping, as they had hoped. More and more people are also getting injuries from doing Yoga poses improperly. Does this mean you can’t do Yoga if you have an upper body injury? No!

Yoga, if expertly modified for the person’s needs, can be enormously helpful for people with upper body or repetitive strain injuries (RSI); however, the wrong asana practice can make matters significantly worse. Author, RSI expert and Yoga teacher Deborah Quilter will show you techniques for enjoying the benefits of Yoga without exacerbating injuries. You will learn:

Halloween Extravaganza:

Come as your Inner Asana

Halloween is a traditional time for living your fantasies and letting yourself go wild. In this workshop, we’ll discover asana from the inside out – becoming warriors, burning stars, roaring lions -- or whatever within us that needs expression.

Dying to be a corpse? Want to strut your peacock? Or will you discover a new asana of your own? Celebrate Halloween at the Breathing Project! Come as your favorite Yoga pose! Come in costume – or come as you are – but don’t miss this chance to explore your asana in more depth than you dreamed possible through Deborah’s creative and surprising techniques. There will be a prize for the best costume. No prior Yoga experience is necessary.

This workshop is perfect for:
•    Yogis
•    Actors
•    Dancers
•    Creative artists
•    People who love Halloween
•    You!

Saturday October 27, 2007

8-10 pm
$20 in advance; $25 at the door
The Breathing Project
15 W. 26th Street, 10th floor (between 6th and Broadway)
INFO: 212/979-9642 or www.breathingproject.org

New York:

REVERSE THE CLOCK: YOGA FOR SENIORS

Many senior citizens have trouble with balance, walking and other activities of daily life. Yoga can help – not only with ease of movement and better balance – but also many health conditions or chronic pain. You may want to take Yoga lessons, but worry that standard classes may be too strenuous for you or will aggravate your condition, but this class focuses on moving in a slow, pleasurable, fun way – where you are free to improvise and adapt poses to fit your own body. You will go at your own pace, in a way that feels good.

You will learn:
• Secrets to good balance
• How to modify Yoga poses for your own body
• Easy relaxation techniques

WHEN: September 9, 2007 1:30-3:30pm
WHERE: YogaWorks Westchester
50 S. Buckhout Street, Irvington, NY
COST: $40 in advance; $45 at the door
INFORMATION/REGISTRATION: (914) 591-9642 http://yogaworks.com/newyork/workshops.asp
Email: westchesternyc@yogaworks.com

SHAKTI BANDHA : THE KEY TO CREATIVITY

Deborah Quilter and Antonio Sausys

Creative energy provides the basis of our ability to produce art, express ourselves, relate to each other, and most importantly, come up with coping strategies to adapt to life challenges. Any blockage of this energy diminishes the possibility of experiencing life as fully as we can.

This workshop offers a set of Yoga postures, breathing techniques, visualizations and exercises intended to facilitate the flow of creative energy within you, whether the blockage is physical, mental or energetic. 'Shakti Bandha' is an ancient practice updated for the modern world by Swami Satyananda Saraswati. The workshop also includes an inventive approach to adapting standard asanas for your own body comfort and expression, and time for sharing and exploring personal creativity.

September 22, 2007 12:30-5:30 p.m.

Yoga Works
37 West 65th Street 4th floor (near Broadway)

COST: $100 in advance; $110 at the door

NFORMATION/REGISTRATION: 212-769-YOGA http://yogaworks.com/newyork/workshops.asp

THE ART OF ASANA: CREATING THE PERFECT POSE

Michelangelo was once asked how he made a sculpture, and he replied, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."

We can do the same thing with Yoga poses. Today we will delve into ourselves, and allow the poses to emerge. The postures we discover will be unique to us, or variations on classical postures that better “fit” our bodies. These poses can speak to and for us more powerfully than outer-imposed postures, and release deep areas of holding.

Discover the artistry of asana and enrich your practice. Beginners to advanced students are welcome. You do not need to be fit or flexible for this workshop, and you need not worry about being pushed too far – you are the creator, and will do only what’s comfortable and blissful. This is an excellent workshop for teachers, artists, visionaries or other people who want to explore and expand their personal practice and be inspired by others. Join us for an amazing afternoon of artistic creation.

WHEN: June 23, 2007, 1:00- 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: YogaWorks 37 West 65th Street 4th floor (near Broadway)
COST: $40 in advance; $45 at the door
INFORMATION/REGISTRATION: 212-769-YOGA http://yogaworks.com/newyork/workshops.asp

THE GERTIE BALL WORKOUT: MOVEMENT FOR

YOUR INNER CHILD

    Children and babies have the right idea about movement. They do it for fun. They play by their own rules They are not competing, they are cooperating. They aren’t impressing; they are experimenting. They aren’t imitating; they are creating.

    In this workshop, we’ll cast off the shackles of adulthood and revisit some pleasures of childhood movement with Gertie balls – soft, inflatable toys. These balls can be used for propping, rolling, spacing limbs, and supporting “floating” movements. The effects of these movements can be relaxing, invigorating, toning – and a whole lot more!

    Indulge yourself in an afternoon of discovery – and find out how good you can feel when you stop “working” out and just play. This class is excellent for Yoga teachers, students at any level of fitness, and can be useful for people with injuries.

        DATE: July 6, 2007
        TIME: 6:30-8:30 pm
        WHERE: East West Yoga
               78 Fifth Avenue 2nd floor (near 14th Street)
               New York, NY
        COST: $40 (not including Gertie balls)
        INFORMATION: 212.243.5995

http://www.eastwestnyc.com/events.html

Inner Bliss/Outer Beauty

A Yoga Exploration with Deborah Quilter

Complimentary to Members/$20 Non-Members

CLAY

25 W. 14th Street, 2nd floor (between 5th and 6th)
New York, NY
THURSDAY, JULY 13TH, 2006

7:00PM – 8:30PM

SPACE IS LIMITED. SIGN-UP REQUIRED.

This workshop is based on the premise that if you follow your bliss (and your breath), you can't help but look beautiful! For many people, Yoga practice becomes yet another arena for achievement and striving. We may want to “improve” and push ourselves to reach a goal but that can lead to strain and pain. CLAY Instructor DEBORAH QUILTER wants your practice to achieve physical poetry, with postures and movement becoming words and phrases. You do not need to have previous Yoga experience, be physically fit or flexible to participate in this workshop because the goal is to practice without pre-conceptions and respond to what your body wants, rather than forcing it into "ideal" positions. So we're not going for an outer picture of a pose, but a sense-based experience of both classical and intuitive asana.

For more information please contact Tanya Wood, Director of Marketing (tmw@insideclay.com) or 212.206.9200.

SENIOR YOGA Friday 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Mount Sinai Hospital, Annenberg 10th floor, Room 10-30

Entrance at 1468 Madison Avenue at 100th St.

COST: Free for members of the Coffey Geriatrics Practice; $10/class for non-members

INFO: To register for class: Call Ms. Fay Kahan, 212/241-6774

To make an appointment at the Coffey Geriatrics Practice: 212/659-8552

INNER BLISS; OUTER BEAUTY
    A Yoga exploration with Deborah Quilter

    For many people, at one time or another, Yoga practice becomes yet another arena for achievement and striving. We may want to “improve” and push ourselves to reach a goal. This approach can lead to strain and pain. But what if we came to our practice without pre-conceptions, and simply waited to see what our body wanted? What if we moved in pleasurable ways instead of forcing ourselves into challenging positions? What if our practice was physical poetry, with postures and movement becoming words and phrases?

    This series is based on the premise that if you follow your bliss (and your breath), you can't help but look beautiful. So we're not going for an outer picture of a pose, but a sense-based experience of both classical and intuitive asana.

      DATES: Thursdays, May 18, 25, June 1, 8, 15 and 22
            TIME: 2-3:30 p.m.
            WHERE: The Breathing Project
               15 W. 26th Street, 10th floor

             (between 6th and Broadway)
               New York, NY
            COST: $108.00 series, $20 single classes. No makeups or                              refunds.
            INFORMATION: 212/979-9642 or www.breathingproject.org

Yoga for RSI

Mother Love Yoga: Balancing the Masculine and
Feminine through Relaxation

International Yoga Therapy Conference

APRIL 30: RESTORATIVE YOGA IN THE REAL WORLD:
RESTFUL YOGA FOR EVERY BODY
A Yoga Teacher Training

Stone Center for Yoga & Health
1415 Queen Anne Road, Suite 204
Teaneck, NJ

www.stoneyoga.com

YOGA FOR FRAIL ELDERS
An introductory teacher training
with Deborah Quilter

Just as children are not small adults, the elderly are not simply middle-aged people with wrinkles. An asana that might be easy for a healthy adult may be out of the question or painful for someone in their 70s, 80s or 90s. Some movements may be contraindicated for people with osteoporosis, vertigo, high blood pressure or heart disease.

But, as with many illnesses and injuries, an appropriate Yoga practice can increase strength, flexibility, balance and create a general sense of well-being. This workshop will focus on how to teach frail but otherwise healthy elders who are able to stand, walk and sit upright rather than those who may be confined to wheelchairs or bed. In this introductory session, you will learn:

• Chair, standing and floor poses
• Safety considerations
• Modifications for common health conditions
• How to improve balance and change of direction
• How to use props such as chairs, blankets, tables and straps

DATE: March 25, 2006
TIME: 1- 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Breathing Project
15 W. 26th Street, 10th floor (between 6th and Broadway)
New York, NY
COST: $60.00
INFORMATION: 212/979-9642 or www.breathingproject.org

RSI 101: What Every Fitness Professional Needs to Know about Repetitive Strain Injury
with Deborah Quilter

Computer users are developing repetitive strain injury (RSI) at an alarming rate. RSI is the leading occupational disease in the United States, yet very few fitness professionals know how to offer a safe program for injured students.

RSI is a highly complex soft-tissue injury, and includes many separate diagnoses to the nerves, tendons and muscles of the upper extremity including carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, thoracic outlet syndrome and De Quervains’ disease, to name a few.

Exercise, if expertly modified for the person’s injury, can be enormously helpful for people with RSI; however, the wrong approach can make matters significantly worse. Author, RSI expert and fitness professional Deborah Quilter has designed a special program to allow people to exercise without exacerbating injuries. You will learn:

• What RSI is, how it develops, and what makes it worse
• Risk factors for RSI
• The warning signs of injury
• Common misconceptions about RSI
• Appropriate/contraindicated exercises and machines
• How to adapt exercise for injured clients
• A basic conditioning program especially for computer users or those who use their hands intensively

WHEN: February 27, 2006, 1:00- 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Clay, 25 W. 14th Street (between 6th and 5th)
COST: Clay fitness professionals, $50; non-Clay fitness

professionals, $85
INFORMATION: 212 206-9200

.4 ACE Continuing Education Credits

Gentle Yoga Tuesday 1:30-3 p.m.
Restorative YogaTuesday 4-5:30 p.m.
Therapuetic YogaThursday 6:15 p.m.

East West Yoga Studio
78 Fifth Avenue (near 14th street)
COST: Single class $17; 5 class card $80; 10 class card $150
INFORMATION: 212.243.5995

RESTORATIVE YOGA Saturday 5:00-6:15 p.m.

COST: Free for members or day pass $35.00 MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION: Tanya Wood 212/206-9200 or insideclay.com

RELAX AND RESTORE

The first step to healing from chronic stress injuries or diseases is relaxation. In this workshop, you will learn techniques including restorative Yoga, Yoga nidra, breathwork, guided imagery
and meditation. Note: While these workshops are sensitive to people with RSI, you need not be injured to join. No previous experience is required.

WHEN:    February 12, 14 and 16, 2006
                5:30-7 p.m.
WHERE:    Emeryville Health & Wellness Center
                    1240 Powell Street, Suite 2A
                    Emeryville, CA
COST:    $145.00. (with Advanced Strengthening workshop,

Deborah Quilter by February 1 to:
East Bay RSI Support Group, 1442A Walnut St. #113,

ADVANCED STRENTHENING WORKSHOP

     In this workshop, you will learn advanced techniques to increase power and gain suppleness without straining your body. You will work at your own pace and within your own capability to minimize the risk of exacerbating existing injuries. NOTE: workshop is limited to people
who have taken Level 1 strengthening or who have permission from the teacher.

WHEN:     February 13-17, 2006 12-1:30 p.m.
WHERE:     The Upaya Center
                       478 Santa Clara Ave., Suite 200, Oakland, California
COST:     $175.00. (with Relax and Restore workshop, $295)

Quilter by February 1, 2006 to:
East Bay RSI Support Group, 1442A Walnut St. #113

TWO SAN FRANCISCO EAST BAY AREA WORKSHOPS

WHEN:     November 18-22
                Strength-training: 12-2 p.m. SOLD OUT !
                Rejuvenation: 4-6 p.m. Limited space; sign up soon!
WHERE: The Upaya Center
                478 Santa Clara Ave., Suite 200
                Oakland, California
COST: $165.00 for Track One
                $150.00 for Track Two. Due Oct. 11. Non-refundable.
                Send checks payable to Deborah Quilter to:
                        East Bay RSI Support Group
                     1442A Walnut St. #113
                        Berkeley CA 94709
INFORMATION: Julie (510) 469-4036

    Track One: Strengthening. In the strength-training track, you will increase power and gain suppleness without straining your body. You will work at your own pace and within your own capability to minimize the risk of exacerbating existing injuries. You will learn the basis of her program: the core mat routine.

    Track Two: Rejuvenation. In this track, you will learn various relaxation techniques, including restorative Yoga, Yoga nidra, breathwork, guided imagery and meditation. By relaxing deeply, you stimulate your body’s natural healing mechanism. This work is like entering an oasis from a blistering desert. Props needed for this track: a Yoga bolster and 3-4 towels.

        These methods are gentle but powerful, easy yet effective and – best of all – pleasurable. Note: While these workshops are sensitive to people with RSI, you need not be injured to join. No previous experience is required.

TAUGHT BY DEBORAH QUILTER 9/16/05 10 a.m.

Since the fall of 2004, Deborah Quilter has taught a Yoga class to a group of senior citizens at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City. These women, who are in their 70s, 80s and 90s, have benefitted enormously from the weekly class, and have not only made remarkable strides in balance, agility and overall fitness, but also have experienced reduction of aches, pains and dizziness. Things can change in broadcasting, but at present the segment is slated to air Friday Sept. 16, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. on NBC. The ladies are quite inspiring, if you are able to tune in.

WHERE: North Berkeley Senior Center located at 1901 Hearst Ave.(at Martin Luther King), in Berkeley, California.

When it comes to rehabilitating and coping with chronic injuries, learning appropriate movement is one of the most important things you can do. However, standard exercise programs can exacerbate existing pain and injuries.

Author and teacher Deborah Quilter has designed a special movement program for people with chronic health issues, and the first step is learning how to use your own self-healing powers. You will:

● Learn self-healing techniques from restorative Yoga and other disciplines that you can practice by yourself
● Discover the power of the language of healing
● Explore stillness, spontaneous and intuitive movement, breathing, guided imagery and meditation
● Work at your own pace and within your own capability to minimize the risk of exacerbating existing injuries – among other people who understand

When you take charge of your health, you are in the best hands of all – your own. The methods you will learn are gentle but powerful, easy yet effective and, best of all, pleasurable. Note: this workshop is sensitive to people with repetitive strain injury (RSI), but you need not be injured to join. No previous experience required.

WHEN: September 14-16 from 6-8 p.m.; September 17 from 1-5 p.m.
WHERE: The Upaya Center
478 Santa Clara Ave., Suite 200, Oakland, California
COST: $125.00 before August 31; $150.00 after. Non-refundable.

1442A Walnut St. #113, Berkeley CA 94709
INFORMATION: In California: Nancy Mennel 510/843-5122

Deborah Quilter will be teaching a series of classes in Restorative Yoga in New York City.

DATES: Friday June 17, 24, July 1 and 8, 2005
TIME: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
WHERE: The Breathing Project
15 West 26th Street (between 6th/Broadway)
COST: $80.00 if pre-registered; $25.00 for single classes if space is available. To ensure your spot, it is highly recommended that you pre-register, because this event has sold out in the past. If you plan to take one or more single classes, you should also pre-register, or call ahead to see if there is space available. No makeups or refunds.
INFO/REGISTRATION: 212/979-9642 or www.breathing project.org