In this engaging MysticMag interview, Sandra Kurzdorfer, a dedicated yoga practitioner and teacher, shares her journey into the world of yoga and the unique combination of Yin Yoga and Sound Bathing. Discover how these practices can heal not just the physical body but also the mind and spirit, and be inspired by the surprising positive results her clients have experienced, from avoiding surgery to finding newfound creativity. Learn more about her story below.
When did you start practicing yoga and discover that you wanted to specialize and teach?
I started practicing yoga in 2003 and it instantly became a passion for it felt so good and nourishing in my body, mind & spirit. Due to different injuries, I had incurred from years of dance, I became intrigued with how to heal the body naturally, therefore, I gravitated towards slower more therapeutic styles of yoga.
I attended a Kriya yoga teacher training in 2006 and an Anusara teacher training in 2009 & 2010. I began teaching in 2010 and have since been certified and specialize in Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga, Therapeutic Yoga, Sound Bathing, and Vibrational Sound Healing.
Can you explain the advantages of combining yin yoga and sound baths?
Combining Yin Yoga and Sound Bathing is very powerful in regards to the ability to be able to heal from the inside out. Yin Yoga as it deals with the fascial tissues of the body, gives the entire body the opportunity to open up physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and energetically.
With all the “bodies” completely open and relaxed, they are more receptive to passively receiving the healing effects of sound and vibration. The sound and vibration can then penetrate on a much deeper level into the body.
You mention on your website that your focus is to heal the physical body. What are the most frequent issues and pains that your clients try to heal?
The most frequent complaints are low back, hips, neck, shoulders, and high blood pressure.
With deep relaxation techniques in combination with gentle yogic stretches, I have been able to help many people lower their blood pressure significantly, as well as get off of their blood pressure medications altogether.
Yin yoga is very beneficial specifically to joint pain. Passive stretching of the joints and connective tissue helps to bring moisture back into these tissues therefore creating more comfort in the joints and less pain.
Additionally, in a therapeutic Hatha Yoga class, stretching and strengthening of the muscles that surround the inflamed or painful area of the body will improve comfort and ease pain. With a dedicated practice, most of us can live in a physically more comfortable body and, more often than not, pain-free.
What is the feedback that you receive from your clients? Did someone surprise you with a positive result that you weren’t expecting?
I’m constantly surprised by amazing positive feedback. I never know what people will tell me after class. It’s always very individual depending upon where they hold emotional as well as physical trauma within their physical body. I’ve had 3 people report back to me that they no longer needed back surgery as long as they kept up with their yoga practice.
I had a Vietnam Vet who had an extremely powerful emotional release from one of my Hatha yoga classes mixed with massage.
Different artists that have come to my Sound Baths have reported they had more creativity in the two weeks following their experience at my Sound Bath than they had in months. Sound and vibration have assisted in the healing of people who have concussion symptoms.
My stories are endless as to the pain people are released from following a practice as well as the days that follow.
How was your last retreat and do you expect to organize future editions?
My last retreat was extremely successful. Most everyone walked away from the experience feeling rejuvenated, released from some of their past traumas, and ready to tackle their reality back out in the real world. Most had a fresh outlook on the world again. I will be co-hosting a retreat in Iceland November 10th-18th, 2023. And possibly co-hosting a retreat in Peru in 2024. I plan to host and co-host many more retreats moving forward both local and international.
Is there anything else about your work that you’d like to share that we haven’t covered?
I have loved this journey, with all its twists and turns, helping me to help others. I’ve had many amazing teachers throughout the years, but my greatest teachers have been all my students.
My most memorable student took her first yoga class at 101 years old, she lived to be 104, slept for 30 minutes of a 45-minute class every week, and told me the secret to living so long is “learning to laugh at yourself & finding joy in each & every moment”.
To learn more about Sandra and her work, you can visit her website sunflowervibrations.com
