Workshops & Events
Photo by @exp.life.photography
In addition to my weekly classes, I offer special classes & workshops around the Flathead Valley and the state of Montana. I strive to make these opportunties affordable and offered at times that I hope will be convienent. I love teaching in non-traditional spaces, so if you would like to host a workshop at your facility, please reach out by submitting a form on my Contact page!
Freeing Your Feet: a workshop on foot health and how it affects whole body health
After my yoga teacher training, I became much more proprioceptively aware of my body. I began realizing that I had pain and imbalances in my lower body on a regular basis, especially my knees and low back. I started paying attention to where this pain was, and learning about where it might be coming from since I had no specific moment of “injury” I could pinpoint. I live in a 5’2” body, and as a tween and teen growing up, I wore heels or wedges almost exclusively. I was proud of how I could even “run in stilettos” and had a large shoe collection. I have one pivotal memory from graduate school of showing up to a bonfire event in rural Vermont in red patent leather peep toe heels. My fellow environmental law students looked at me like I had three heads and called me Elle Woods for the rest of the year.
In yoga classes, teachers would cue me to lift, spread and plant my toes, and I realized I had very little control over my feet and toe movement. There was a fundamental disconnect between my brain and my feet. Around the same time I began following some influential creators on social media like The Foot Collective, which accelerated my thirst for knowledge on this topic, and the more I learned and explored in my own body, the more foot-related disconnection and disfunction I saw in the bodies of my students.
I began to intentionally incorporate more foot-focused language and movements into my weekly classes, and through this I realized I wanted to offer a dedicated workshop to bring awareness to the problems with modern mainstream footwear options and how they affect our bodies in the long-run. I began offering this workshop in 2018 and have crafted it into two versions. I now have a 1.5 introductory talk, and a half-day workshop option, both of which I’ve taught at yoga studios around the Flathead Valley, at Flathead Valley Community College, and at yoga conferences and festivals around the state of Montana.
What I cover in my introductory 1.5 hour workshop:
In my half-day version of the workshop, we dive deeper into observing and addressing student’s individual foot shape, movement patterns, and specific corresponding limitations, and we enjoy a dedicated foot-focused yoga practice.
If you are a yoga studio owner, a fitness center operator, or even a private group of friends who are interested in bringing this workshop to your community, please reach out to me! I have everything I need to take this workshop anywhere you’d like me to teach it and it is a joy to do so! Interested? Shoot me an email: loveleighyogateacher@gmail.com
In yoga classes, teachers would cue me to lift, spread and plant my toes, and I realized I had very little control over my feet and toe movement. There was a fundamental disconnect between my brain and my feet. Around the same time I began following some influential creators on social media like The Foot Collective, which accelerated my thirst for knowledge on this topic, and the more I learned and explored in my own body, the more foot-related disconnection and disfunction I saw in the bodies of my students.
I began to intentionally incorporate more foot-focused language and movements into my weekly classes, and through this I realized I wanted to offer a dedicated workshop to bring awareness to the problems with modern mainstream footwear options and how they affect our bodies in the long-run. I began offering this workshop in 2018 and have crafted it into two versions. I now have a 1.5 introductory talk, and a half-day workshop option, both of which I’ve taught at yoga studios around the Flathead Valley, at Flathead Valley Community College, and at yoga conferences and festivals around the state of Montana.
What I cover in my introductory 1.5 hour workshop:
- Basic foot anatomy and how feet can and should be able to move
- Common foot disfunction and causes
- What to look for in footwear to provide your feet with support without limiting their ability to do their job
- Daily exercises and movements to incorporate into your life to support healthy feet, gait, and posture
In my half-day version of the workshop, we dive deeper into observing and addressing student’s individual foot shape, movement patterns, and specific corresponding limitations, and we enjoy a dedicated foot-focused yoga practice.
If you are a yoga studio owner, a fitness center operator, or even a private group of friends who are interested in bringing this workshop to your community, please reach out to me! I have everything I need to take this workshop anywhere you’d like me to teach it and it is a joy to do so! Interested? Shoot me an email: loveleighyogateacher@gmail.com
Upcoming Workshops & Events
FLATHEAD VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
JULY 29th & AUGUST 10th 2023 IN KALISPELL, MONTANA
I’ll be sharing my Freeing Your Feet workshop through the Continuing Education Department. During this three hour workshop we’ll go over why healthy feet matter in your practice and your life. We’ll discuss ways to improve your foot, knee, and hip health, and enjoy an hour-long foot-focused practice.
Cost - $34
Thursday 3/2/23 from 8:30am - 11:30am
Bring your yoga mat, a pen and paper to take notes, and a water bottle
Sign up here!
Cost - $34
Thursday 3/2/23 from 8:30am - 11:30am
Bring your yoga mat, a pen and paper to take notes, and a water bottle
Sign up here!
FRONT RANGE YOGA FESTIVAL 2023
JUNE 9, 10, & 11th IN CHOTEAU, MONTANA
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I’ll be back at the Front Range Yoga Festival in Choteau, MT this June 2023!
I’ll be sharing my Freeing Your Feet workshop. During the two hour workshop we’ll go over why healthy feet matter in your practice and your life. We’ll discuss ways to improve your foot, knee, and hip health, and enjoy a foot-focused practice! Read about the inaugural event here! Learn more about the FRY Festival and how to register for it at here! |
Where? |
CHOTEAU, MONTANA
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“Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are.”
– Jason Crandell
