Here I sit, a week after my return from my first trip to Seattle, Washington and the 4-day adventure that was this year's Northwest Yoga Conference. This was not only my first yoga conference since 2015, but also my first since experiencing a lot more in my own practice, as well as seeing a lot more bodies as a teacher for what's been almost 3 years.

Here's just a brief rundown of the sessions I attended, and my biggest ah-ha moments from each:

Building a Successful and Sustainable Yoga Business for Yoga Teachers and Studios with Lynann Politte - A very successful yoga marketing maven, Lynann Politte took us through this 6 hour tour of how to successfully market your yoga business - whether as a studio owner or independent contractor - in an industry flooded with competition that's constantly growing. Whether it be through website development, social media avenues, or building your community in person, she provided valuable info about how to market yourself AUTHENTICALLY.
- Biggest takeaway: Invest time into your website. It's the 24-hour billboard for your business. Also, take advantage of social media algorithms. The more likes, the more views, and the more potential new clients.
The Tiny Universes Inside Your Hip Sockets with Sarahjoy Marsh - If you're a yogi, you demand a lot from your hips. Although we may not feel any sensation in the most basic of transitions (i.e. Warrior 1 to Warrior 2) we should be mindful since, as Sarahjoy says, it's easy to crash your Starship Enterprise. Picture the head of the femur as the Enterprise navigating its way safely through the universe of your hip, gliding smoothly with the help of synovial fluid and the smooth labral cartilage. Sometimes it has a tendency go off-roading, bumping into space junk, which in this case is acetabulum, or side walls of your hip socket. These minor incidences can cause tears, bone spurs, or even worse. Now consider the surrounding musculature of the hip as the traffic lights of the universe and the braking system of the Enterprise. We can keep the Enterprise safe from bumping into space junk by utilizing the traffic lights, and stopping the Enterprise when needed.
- Biggest takeaway: If you're deep six hip rotators are weak, incorporate some type of strength training, whether is be with body or resistance, to build those muscles for protection of your hips and to ultimately improve your practice!
The (un)Common Core: Abdominal Strength with Purpose with Kevin Moore - This was, admittedly, sort of a bait-and-switch from the initial description of the session. In Kevin's defense, the term "core" is pretty misleading in itself. The core is thought to be our main means of balance, and the protection of our spine. This session focused on the idea that our core is not only the space between the rib cage and the pelvis, but rather the body as a whole, since everything within us is so interconnected. Kevin is the founder of the Reembody method. His approach is to bring focus to dominant tendencies within the body, then retrain to body out of those tendencies in an effort to move more efficiently, whether it be during yoga or just walking down the street.
- Biggest takeway: Some commonly used yoga cues are actually a bit less natural to the human body that what they're intended. We should consider the natural shape of the body, mainly the spine, and move in a way that works optimally with it's design.
SI Joint Dysfunction with Tiffany Cruikshank - This was the session I looked most forward to. As a big back bender in my own practice, and an inherently hyper mobile person, I've experienced greater-than-normal movement in my sacrum, and inevitably pain. I often joke that I'm pretty sure my sacrum spins like a revolving door at this point. During this session, we talked about how stable the SI joint actually is. It's surrounded by a slew of ligaments and muscle that support it - so much so that it's normal range of nutation is only between 2 and 4 degrees. We learned several techniques to assess students for SI joint dysfunction, and also exercises to help strengthen supporting muscles that may be weak, and stretch surrounding muscles that may be too tight.
- Biggest takeaway: To anyone working with SI joint dysfunction, be mindful when performing asymmetrical poses (i.e. most of them!) and also, asymmetrical tendencies. I've stopped sitting with my legs crossed while seated in a chair, and have already felt relief in my low back!
Myofascial Release Revealed with Tiffany Cruikshank - Myofascial means muscle + fascia. Fascia is connective tissue that supports, connects or separates different types of tissues and organs in the body. In addition to muscle, fascia can become damaged do to various causes. Myofascial release targets areas within the myofascial lines of the body and works to release any discomfort that may be due to overuse, damage or irritation. This can bring extreme relief to ailing yogis! During this session, we learned the basics of myofascial release, beginning at the feet and working our way up through the legs, back, and shoulders, all the way to the neck and felt the experience of how working in one place on the body can have a huge impact on a pain point that exists elsewhere.
- Biggest takeaway: The body is incredibly interconnected. Pain can be referred from one area to another, so it's important to care for the entire body, not necessarily just the site of our pain. Of course, as with anything else, consistency of practice is key. Luckily, just 30-60 seconds of pointed pressure with a tennis ball or any other type of massage ball can provide some relief.

Lots of great information to bring back home with me, not only to use in my own practice. but also to pass on to other teachers and students! Not to mention, the experience of visiting Seattle for the first time was one I was thrilled to have to opportunity to have! Between the amazing vegan grub, loads of coffee, and adorable AirBnB in West Seattle (check out my Instagram for pictures!) I think it's safe to say I wouldn't mind heading back next year.