The Sacred Column: Integrating Asana and Anatomy of the Spine

Your spine is the pillar of your practice—and of your life. Whether you teach yoga or deepen your own asana journey, understanding the vertebral column transforms how you move, breathe, and cultivate energy on the mat. In this immersive residential workshop at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, MA, renowned yoga teacher and anatomist Judith Lasater invites you into a precise, reverent exploration of the spine's structure, function, and role in both physical practice and spiritual cultivation.

This is not a quick workshop. This is a residential experience designed for yoga teachers and committed practitioners who are ready to examine what they think they know about their spines—and to rebuild that understanding from the ground up. Through lecture, hands-on demonstration, and embodied exploration, you'll discover what distinguishes each spinal region, how specific asanas affect the vertebral column, and how to teach in ways that honor its integrity. Lasater's approach weaves anatomy, practice wisdom, and the energetic dimension of the spine into a coherent whole, offering tools you'll use in every class you teach or take for years to come.

What to Expect

Mornings ground you in theory and active practice. Judith guides you through structural and functional anatomy while you experience it directly in your body—moving through poses that illuminate the spine's design and capacity. Afternoons shift into slower, quieter asanas that invite deeper listening: how the vertebral column partners with breath, how it settles into restoration, how it becomes a channel for meditation. Throughout the weekend, you'll observe how your spine interfaces with the pelvis and shoulder girdle, unlocking insights that deepen both personal practice and teaching capacity.

You'll leave with a refined anatomical literacy, practical cues for safer and more intelligent alignment, and a renewed sense of reverence for the spine's role in health and awakening.

Venue & Logistics

Held at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, MA, this residential workshop runs Sunday, November 8, 2026. Participants are asked to prepare by reviewing relevant anatomy chapters in the required text beforehand. Wear comfortable yoga clothing and bring an open, curious mind. Kripalu provides meals and accommodations as part of the residential experience.