Pain's a bitch, Yoga helps.

Hi Friends!! Welcome to Chronic Asana, a site dedicated to transforming life with chronic pain toward the positive through yoga, art & a sense of humor.

Chronic Pain Informed Yoga

Chronic Asana is here to be a resource for those living in the isolation of chronic pain. Meet its founding wizard, Stephanie Kinney (and her trusty sidekick, Val)

Painful Insights

Over the years I’ve found some nuggets of wisdom buried in the depths of pain. Occasionally I like to write them down.

Sandbags

Sandbags

A Literal Heavyweight Yoga sandbags are a powerful tool to deepen your practice, offering a blend of grounding, support, and relaxation. As their name suggests, they are small fabric bags filled...

Foam Roller

Foam Roller

Relieve Chronic Pain with Foam Rolling Though I might not quite categorize a foam roller as a “yoga prop,” it’s definitely worth a mention as a tool for pain management & it can definitely be...

Chair

Chair

Take a Load off: Use a Chair For those managing chronic pain, a chair can be a game-changer in yoga practice. It offers essential support, allowing for safe exploration of poses without overexerting...

"I have been attending Stephanie's classes for the past 10 years. She is superb in her teaching, individualizing instruction even within a large class. She imparts wisdom but always with a lighthearted touch. I always come away from her classes feeling lighter, stronger, and more centered. She is a delight!"

-Diane S.

"Yoga keeps me in the game. I'm a 70-74 age group athlete, still competing, still winning triathlons and 10Ks. Couldn't do it without yoga. Been doing pre- and post-race yoga with Stephanie for seven years now. Loosens my tight hips and quads, and even helps me sleep better. You should try it."

-Mike M.

I regularly attend Steph's Gentle Flow class on Wednesdays. It really helps my balance, strength and flexibility. I enjoy the variety the class offers. One could listen to Steph teach forever. I learn something new every class. Class is good for these old bones.

-Laura F.

"Stephanie Kinney is an excellent yoga instructor.  The two things that stand out for me regarding Stephanie are, one, she begins every class by asking if anyone has any areas of the body that need attention that day.  She then incorporates yoga poses to address those issues.

The second thing that stands out for me regarding Stephanie is that she creates a class environment that is encouraging, non-judgmental, empowering, and self-accepting, reminding us that our bodies know best what they need."

-Janet P.

"Linger in the pose and make it your own. Or follow along as Stephanie guides you through a moving meditation of Asanas. I have practiced with Stephanie for many years, each of her classes is unique but familiar. I love how she asks for our input before the class begins; tailoring to shoulders, hips, low back, balance, or any area that might need special attention. Many classes end with an extended rest & I always feel stretched and calm after class. She is one of my favorite teachers."

-Susan S.

What is special about Stephanie and her yoga classes is that she’s so perceptive and you feel instantly at ease. I feel connected to my body and soul when I’m in Stephanie’s class, because of her deep understanding of yoga and the body. Also, the way she describes everything, from how we might be feeling, to what our body might be feeling, it’s an exploratory approach and she’s always spot on. She’s quite intuitive and wise and it comes out subtly throughout each class.
Something else that strikes me is how prepared Stephanie is for each class. That you can count on her steady, upbeat, relaxed, friendly, and professional presence.

Stephanie’s yoga sequences are exquisite and well thought out. You can expect several “a hah” moments every class! She puts in that one extra pose that makes you feel fabulous, gives you a stretch where you didn’t even know you needed it, or where you were tight, but couldn’t access it. Or you’re used to getting anxious with balance poses, and Stephanie takes all the anxiety out of the classroom,  and you find you are able to grow in your balance practice.

I take two or more yoga classes with Stephanie each week, because I feel uplifted, stronger, at peace, and fulfilled after every class.

-Nancy E.