Alignment and Functional Movement with Dr. Ariele Foster

Alignment and Functional Movement with Dr. Ariele Foster

From Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast by Mado Hesselink

February 12, 2026 · 48 min · Episode 292

About this episode

Dr. Ariele Foster discusses the importance of understanding alignment and functional movement in yoga practice.

Basic misunderstandings about the human body can lead to yoga cues that have the opposite effect from what the teacher intended. In this episode, physical therapist and longtime yoga educator Dr. Ariele Foster breaks down why rigid alignment cues often fail our biology. Listen in to hear a nuanced discussion of the role of alignment in asana and how to bring more functional movement into your yoga classes. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:01:11 Meet Dr. Ariele Foster: From yoga enthusiast to physical therapist11:08 Reconsidering the role of alignment15:18 How alignment can either increase or decrease your options for movement.22:58 How alignment can feed into kinesophobia30:05 Functional movement vs. specialized movement42:58 How to weave more functional movement into your classes46:36 Conclusion and further resources EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES: Yoga Anatomy Academy Yoga for 3D Hip Stability Course Follow Yoga Anatomy Academy on Instagram @yogaanatomyacademy Follow Yoga Anatomy Academy on Facebook Wellilo Physical Therapy and Yoga Follow Dr. Ariele Foster on Instagram @dr.ariele.foster Follow Dr. Ariele Foster: Wellilo Physical Therapy + Yoga on Facebook Here is a webinar on how to avoid…

People in this episode

Host: Mado Hesselink

Guest: Dr. Ariele Foster

Topics covered

  • alignment
  • functional movement
  • yoga education
  • physical therapy
  • kinesophobia

Keywords

  • alignment
  • functional movement
  • yoga cues
  • kinesophobia
  • physical therapy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Yoga Anatomy Academy, Wellilo Physical Therapy and Yoga

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