Optimal Yoga: FASCIAL FITNESS
Fascial Fitness in Asana Practice: Resilience and Vitality
With Doug Keller
Fascia Fascia Fascia. The underreported yet crucial link to vitality
Our skeletal muscles, which are active in asana practice, play a vital role in our endocrine system, producing anti-inflammatory hormones that slow the aging process and reduce pain syndromes — if the muscles are worked properly. There are principles for working well with muscles to optimize their benefits in asana practice — and they include giving attention to the elasticity of tendons, which are too often neglected in yoga ‘stretches.’ Tendons are a locus of power in the dynamic actions of our muscles, but too often they are the locus of injury.
All of this is part of the greater matrix of the fascia or connective tissue of the body — and we’ll be looking at pain patterns located in the fascia, whether from injury, surgery, or lack of movement, which are best addressed through the movement patterns of asana practice.
We’ll be covering all classes of poses, and their role in fascial fitness along myofascial lines.
For yoga teachers and inquiring students
Overarching Theme of this Weekend Series:
Our bodies and minds are in a constant process of change throughout our lives, and each stage has its own challenges and opportunities. This much becomes clear as we mature. And our yoga practice evolves with us, becoming all the more insightful. A truly ‘optimal’ yoga meets us where we are in life, supporting us and addressing obstacles as they arise.
Aging is a natural process, and the downside of this process involves increasing inflammatory conditions in different forms that not only cause pain problems, but also reduce resilience and vitality. This can begin as early as one’s 30’s.
The body has natural built-in mechanisms to counter these inflammatory conditions, and they are all linked to the kinds of movement, breath, and practices of mental focus that are the essence of yoga practice.
This training is about refining these practices to derive fully from them the benefits that they offer.
Through the lens of practice, we’ll be exploring a range of topics, from the central role of joint health and freedom, to principles of ‘fascial fitness’ that refine our approach to ‘stretching’ and strengthening in yoga, to the deeper systems that maintain our resilience and vitality, and are supported by breath and mental practices. A new dimension of this will be to explore the role of mudra in providing support and focus in breath practices especially, refining their effectiveness and benefits.
The themes will be rolled out progressively over the three days, though it is possible to register for single days. All elements of practice will be included in each day!
Doug came to teach hatha yoga by way of meditation and years of academic study: philosophy, both western and eastern approaches spirituality, anatomy, movement and yoga. Doug’s depth, intelligence and accessibility for translating hard concepts into digestible ones is profound.
Don’t miss these other sessions with Doug:
Friday, 10 October:
Joint Freedom is the Key to ResilienceSaturday, 11 October:
Fascial Fitness in Asana Practice: Resilience and VitalitySunday, 12 October:
The Deeper Practices of Mudra and Drishthi
Details & Sign Up | For Saturday Session:
Date: Saturday 11 October 2025
Time: 11.30-18.30
Location: Studio Fly | Croeselaan 209 | Utrecht
Prices: Early bird:
€85 until 1 July
€99 until 1 Sept
€115 Regular
Get the whole package: All three days & sessions
Prices: Early bird:
€235 until 1 July
€277 until 1 Sept
€325 Regular
This course offers continuing education hours if you are a yoga professional. YACEP CE=6
*We are CRKBO certified and therefore no vat.
about the teacher:
