New Day and Time
Sundays Starting April 19
7:30-8:30am
In Studio and Livestream

Sign up from sellwoodyoga.com/schedule
 
After five wonderful years of practicing together on Mondays, Yoga for a Healthy Spine will be moving to Sundays at 7:30am. As my full-time role as a VP of Implementations in healthcare IT continues to grow, early-week meetings have made it increasingly difficult to find balance- often resulting in me on a call right before class and rushing out after class to attend an on-camera meeting. This offering has been such a meaningful part of my teaching journey, and I’m excited to continue it in a way that better supports my work schedule, the studio schedule, and hopefully yours.
 
What is Yoga for a Healthy Spine? This class is designed to support spinal health through mindful movement, strengthening, increased range of motion, helping to build awareness on how to access poses differently with stability, and ease in the body. There is a bit of a vinyasa flow to it, but not a full vinyasa flow like my Wednesday evening class.

This class is designed for everyone, from beginners to advanced practitioners, and especially for those in between who are curious about exploring new and more supportive ways to approach familiar poses. Together, we focus on strengthening the entire back body while creating space and ease in both the lower and upper back. The practice is intentionally structured to help relieve tension, reduce congestion along the spine, and counteract the effects of long hours spent sitting at a desk. Whether you are building a foundation, refining your practice, or simply looking to feel better in your body, this class offers an accessible and effective path forward.
The origin of Yoga for a Healthy Spine is rooted in a time when many of us were being asked to slow down, pay attention, and adapt, both on and off the mat.

During the pandemic, while the world shifted into lockdown, I found myself navigating my own physical challenges. I was in physical therapy for low back and SI joint issues, learning firsthand how even subtle imbalances can impact the entire body. What stood out most in that process was how small, intentional adjustments, often barely visible from the outside, could completely change the experience of a movement or posture. Stability improved. Pain decreased. Awareness deepened.

That experience sparked a curiosity: how could these therapeutic principles be integrated into a yoga practice in a way that supports longevity, resilience, and ease?

In collaboration with my physical therapist, we began exploring this question together. During lockdown, we offered a four-part livestream workshop focused on spinal health, bridging clinical insight with yoga practice. The goal was simple: help people understand their bodies better and move in ways that support, rather than strain, the spine.

The response was immediate and meaningful. Participants not only felt the difference physically but also gained a new level of confidence in how they approached movement. What began as a short-term offering quickly grew into something more, as attendees asked for an ongoing opportunity to continue learning and practicing in this way.
From that request, Yoga for a Healthy Spine was born as a weekly class.

Today, the class continues to build on that original intention, blending mindful movement, functional alignment, and accessible education to support a sustainable yoga practice. It is a space where small shifts lead to big changes, and where taking care of your spine becomes a foundation for taking care of your whole self.
To my dedicated Monday regulars, I sincerely hope you’ll be able to make the switch and continue this practice with me. And for those who couldn’t attend due to weekday commitments, this Sunday offering opens the door for you to experience the benefits of Yoga for a Healthy Spine.
 
Quotes from Students
“The consistent practice of caring for my back and spine with an instructor who is passionate about the practice of yoga and not only challenges me but herself as well. Kari’s class also helps me be aware of what my body is capable of and encourages gratitude and appreciation for my strength and capabilities.” 
 
“Kari is really great with cueing and explanations on why and where we might be feeling the stretch in different positions. Lot’s of ‘This is where I am staying because that’s what my body is telling me today.’ That helps me stay out of go-go-go-mode. If you sit in a chair for work all day, you need Kari’s Yoga for a Healthy Spine class!” 
 
“I just finished Kari’s spine health class which focused on the thoracic region. The movements she took us through were the best I’ve had for that area of the back. I was rear-ended several years ago with an injury to my left scapular muscles. I went through PT and have done tons of strength training to help that region. I’ve had difficulty isolating the area. Today, the block work was absolutely incredible. I actually felt those lowered scapulars engaging! Great class!”
 “Kari has a playful & exploratory approach to teaching. Her extensive anatomical knowledge has made me much more aware of my hyper-extension tendencies, and the micro-adjustments that help me manage them.”