Podcasts, Talks & Conferences

Watch Sandy’s recent talk for Wellbeing Think Tank on positive psychology practices for workplace wellness

Sandy gave a talk on Three Essential Ways To Be Actively Happy for Fête day at this year’s UPenn Positive Psychology Summit

Wheel of Well-being for Everyone Co-founders Sandy Blaine and Mamta Chaurdia sit down with Will Cheshier for a discussion around the importance of well-being to your personal and professional life in this episode of the Talkin’ Solutions Podcast

Sandy spoke at the: Pakistan Association of Lifestyle Medicine – International Happiness Summit

Interview on The Allure and Utility of Positive Emotions and Psychology in Wellbeing for a Global Positive Health Institute podcast series

Listen to Sandy’s interview on the Better Than Fine podcast, or find it on Spotify, Apple podcasts, etc.

Sandy’s gave a talk on positive movement, yoga and positive psychology for the @IPPAnet Idea Starter symposium

Sandy was delighted to speak on positive movement and the PERMA theory of human flourishing at the inaugural Global Positive Health conference

Reviews & Press

“Sandy has a true gift for balancing technique with spirit, common sense with insight, modern application with traditional fundamentals. It is not often that computer users get a high-quality, inexpensive add-on with an upgrade path that can lead to enlightenment!”

Randy Nelson, formerly of Pixar University, Pixar Animation Studios and Apple University, Apple Inc.

Yoga for Computer Users could change your life! Sandy Blaine deftly addresses the epidemic of problems that plague computer users and explains exactly what we can do about it. I have no doubt that anyone who reads this book will learn how to bring greater ease, comfort, and health into their life.”

Nora Isaacs, author of Women in Overdrive: Find Balance and Overcome Burnout at Any Age

Yoga for Computer Users is great preventive medicine for anyone who works at a computer. It’s practical, clearly written, and full of good and simple advice on how to relax, release tense muscles, improve your posture, and bring yogic awareness into your work life.

Timothy McCall, MD, Physician, Author of Yoga as Medicine

Yoga for Health Knees is a highly readable and practical guide for those seeking information about safe yoga practice for their knees. A must-read for anyone interested in knee rehabilitation and for yoga teachers, too.

Cybele Tomlinson, Co-director of the Berkeley Yoga Center

Sandy Blaine’s Yoga for Healthy Knees is doubly interesting. It describes how she overcame her own knee pain using yoga poses. It also teaches the reader about safe movements and specific poses that can protect and improve their own knees as well. I recommend this book for its clarity, organization, and positive attitude of healing.

Judith Hanson Lasater, PhD, PT, Yoga Teacher and Author

Books

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Yoga for Computer Users offers preventive self-care for the computer weary. Author Sandy Blaine, draws on her extensive yoga training and her experience as the in-house yoga teacher at Pixar Animation Studios since 1994, she presents a program that is refreshingly easy to do. At the heart of Yoga for Computer Users are twenty-two illustrated poses (asana) and exercises, and breathing and relaxation techniques that can be performed no matter what your age or yoga experience. They will help you to increase range of motion and circulation; combat repetitive stress injury (RSI) to neck, shoulders, wrists, and hands; provide countermovements to “computer slump” posture; and antidote energy stagnation from sitting at the computer for hours. Sandy combines these movements and techniques in five sequences that can be done whether you spend your computer time at home, or in an office, or both. A special Everyday Yoga section presents lifestyle suggestions and mindfulness practices to help you learn to alternate your mouse hand, manage time, unplug at least once a week, schedule time for joy, and more. Yoga for Computer Users is the ideal peripheral device! Turn to it, time and again, to bring balance to your life.

You may purchase Yoga for Computer Users at your local independent bookseller or online at Shambhala Publications, Powell Books or Amazon.com. This title is also available for Kindle and other e-reader formats.

Yoga for Computer Users has been translated into Spanish, Italian and Dutch!

Press for Yoga for Computer Users

entrepreneur-magazine-january-2013_86x115Entrepreneur.com, January 18, 2013
The Daily Dose: Desk Yoga to Improve Your Posture, by Lisa Evans

“No matter how good your posture is, when you’re sitting at a desk all day, your muscles are working very hard to hold your spine up, so just releasing tension from those muscles and allowing them to stretch takes a lot of pressure off the spine and is also energizing,” says Alameda, Calif-based yoga instructor Sandy Blaine and author of Yoga for Computer Users (Rodmell Press, 2008).

elephant85x86Elephant Journal: Dedicated to the Mindful Life, September 6, 2012
How to Stretch the Office Stress Away
via Sophie Legrand

Sandy Blaine, author of Yoga for Computer Users, believes that “Yoga is an antidote to the stagnation of energy that occurs in your body as you sit at your computer. In addition to the essential musculoskeletal benefits, yoga also offers a unique stress management system, alternating between physical exertion and deep relaxation, which trains the nervous system to turn off the stress response.”

sf-chronicleSan Francisco Chronicle, October 5, 2008
Five Questions: Sandy Blaine Helps Pixar Workers Keep Limber, by Amy Moon [Read full article | PDF]

Sandy Blaine’s long relationship with the makers of movie magic has turned her attention to something she finds distressing. “(At Pixar) I really saw how people were suffering from longtime effects of computer use…” Her desire to provide succor before the really bad stuff happens has resulted in her latest book, Yoga for Computer Users: Healthy Necks, Shoulders, Wrists and Hands in the Postmodern Age. (Rodmell Press, 2008).

asja_86x56ASJA Newsletter, February 2008
Health & Wellness: Simple Stretches for Writers, by Kate Hanley

“The most important thing computer users can do to stay feeling good is to take regular stretching breaks,” says Bay Area yoga teacher Sandy Blaine, author of Yoga For Computer Users… I spoke to Blaine to get guidance on how we writers can all stay supple and relaxed as we hammer away at our deadlines. Here are her suggestions for elemental moves everyone—no matter your age, fitness level or workload—can do.

Logo_design-Rebeccas_Reads_86x41Rebecca Reads, April 2008
Yoga for Computer Users [Read article | Download PDF]

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Reviews for Yoga for Computer Users

[Read reviews at Amazon | Rodmell Press]

I’m a craniosacral and massage therapist, and recommend this book to nearly all my clients, young and old, active and sedentary. Every one of them who uses it has seen benefits, and I notice that they all have longer pain- and kink-free stretches of time between sessions.

Sandy Blaine writes in a clear, engaging voice. Her instructions are precise, and still very easy to follow. The beauty and genius of this book is that the poses are geared directly to the symptoms people get with longterm computer use, they can be done nearly anywhere with very little equipment, anyone with use of their arms and a modicum of common sense can perform them well, and the protocols are flexible time-wise, fitting in to busy schedules.

Anyone who spends time in a chair, with their hands out in front of them (think dental hygienists, quilters, cyclists, teachers…) can benefit from this yoga program. Folks who stand with their arms out (avid cooks and bakers…) also see great benefits.

I rehabbed an injured knee with Sandy’s Yoga for Healthy Knees, so I know firsthand that her work is excellent.

With several hours a day at the computer and recently healed from neck and shoulder problems, this book is a sigh of relief. I’m finding it to be a very effective approach to preventing further injuries caused by repetitive stress. I especially appreciate the quick five to ten minute practices that release locked-up muscle tension and leave me feeling more supple and strong. And taking a stretch break gives my mood a boost as well, reminding me of life beyond my desk! The photos that accompany the detailed descriptions make it easy to follow. When I take the time to finish my work day with one of the author’s 30 minute sessions, I sleep more deeply and wake up refreshed. It’s definitely a practical gem for anyone who wants to reverse the negative effects from extended time at the computer and enjoy the benefits of self care.

 

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Yoga for Healthy Knees (Rodmell Press Yoga Shorts) Drawing on Sandy’s expertise as a yoga teacher who has used yoga to recover from knee pain and to keep her knees healthy, Sandy Blaine presents a comprehensive yoga program to help you: understand common knee problems that cause pain and limit mobility; establish safety guidelines to help you get started; use props, such as blankets and towels, to support your body and your mind; practice poses for pain prevention and rehabilitation; move in your everyday life, whether you are an athlete or sedentary.

You may purchase Yoga for Healthy Knees at your local independent bookseller or online at Shambhala Publications, Powell Books or Amazon.com. This title is also available for Kindle and other e-reader formats.

Yoga for Healthy Knees has been translated into Spanish.

Press for Yoga for Healthy Knees

b-s-oct2007_86x109Body + Soul, October 2007
The Best Yoga for You, by Abbie Barre[Read full article | download PDF]

From relieving carpal tunnel syndrome to helping cancer survivors with recovery, yoga’s benefits have made news in various medical publications, including the Journal of the American Medical Association… As rosy at the yoga scene looks, the future holds even more promise. “As younger people see the difference between people who have practiced yoga and those who haven’t, yoga will continue to grow in popularity,” predicts veteran yoga teacher Sandy Blaine.

b-s-june07_86x96Body + Soul, June 2007
Strong Knees, by Kate Hanley[Read full article | download PDF]

Simple adjustments to your everyday routine can add to healthier, stronger knees… We designed exercises with physical therapist Jim Johnson, yoga teacher Sandy Blaine, and movement educator Erik Franklin to help you strengthen and stretch the muscles surrounding your knees for better alignment and greater stability.

fit-yoga-nov06_86x122Fit Yoga, November 2006
Yoga for Your Knees, by Matthew Solan[Read full article | download PDF]

“We often don’t think about our knees unless there’s a problem,” says yoga teacher Sandy Blaine, author of Yoga For Healthy Knees… The reason is, most people don’t know what do to. How do you condition a joint? The strategy is not to focus on the knee itself, but rather the various muscles and ligaments that support it.

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Reviews for Yoga for Healthy Knees

[Read more reviews at Amazon | Rodmell Press]

Wow why can’t drs recommend this book??? by J. Muench
I’ve had knee pain off and on some 20 years. I happened to see this while looking for yoga goodies for my home practice (I just started yoga, whatta difference for the better in a short time!, never stopping now!!!) Thought this book might help with that strange grinding and transient pain I get… OMG! This book makes complete sense as to why most of us have knee pain!!! The poses work on strengthening and stretching everything around the knee (actually the entire rest of the leg!) so the knee gets some relief to do only what it is supposed to do. Knee pain? Stretch those quads and hamstrings and groin muscles! I just went through the majority of the poses right from the beginning, and let me tell you, within the first 3-4 exercises you will realize why your knee hurts by showing you how tight the main working leg muscles are. Why couldn’t my original knee doctor figure this out??? Why did he have me struggle with exercises that FOCUSED on the knee, which of course I had to stop since it hurt and never seemed to help?! I am going to incorporate these poses into my home practice ASAP–I can feel the nice stretch I just got in the thighs and hips without feeling like I blew out my knee.

The book has 3 main sections: 1. Factors in common knee problems 2. Practicing yoga for knee care 3. Everyday knees. The first and last sections are pretty short, but to the point. The second section is all the poses you should focus on to help the knees. Poses are meticulously described, good photos (not creepy) of what the pose looks like and even has model using props for support (like many of us will need when we start!) There is also a part for putting the sequences together for active rehabilitation, healthy knee maintenance, and my favorite… I don’t have time to practice! sequence.

A very well-thought out book that makes it obvious how to begin helping your knees–thank you Sandy!!! An excellent book!

This book changed my life by Jill Turner
I love this book and perform all the poses 5-6 days a week. After one month, I’m so much stronger and more flexible than I ever thought possible. Blaine devotes one-two pages to fully explain each pose: what it does, how to do it correctly, how to modify for greater ease. As a beginner, I appreciate the thorough explanation. I purchased this book not for my knees per se, but to help me sit more comfortably through longer meditations. It’s done that and so much more. When I first started, I could only do the Seat of Power pose for 10 seconds. After one month, I can hold it for over one minute, and I can feel my quads becoming firmer, stronger and more defined. These poses help the knees by stretching and strengthening the lower body, but you’ll feel benefits all over. And many of them you can do anywhere. For example, I’ll practice Thread the Needle II in my chair every day at work, or I’ll take an extra minute during my break to do the Half Downward Facing Dog. They feel great, and somehow I’m not as tired at the end of the day. I’m 50 years old at a desk job, and want to increase strength and flexibility as I get older — not become stiff and injury prone. This book won’t offer anything new for the experienced yogi, but for the rest of us, it’s perfect and should be in every home. Don’t hesitate.

I love this book and perform all the poses 5-6 days a week. After one month, I’m so much stronger and more flexible than I ever thought possible. Blaine devotes one-two pages to fully explain each pose: what it does, how to do it correctly, how to modify for greater ease. As a beginner, I appreciate the thorough explanation. I purchased this book not for my knees per se, but to help me sit more comfortably through longer meditations. It’s done that and so much more. When I first started, I could only do the Seat of Power pose for 10 seconds. After one month, I can hold it for over one minute, and I can feel my quads becoming firmer, stronger and more defined. These poses help the knees by stretching and strengthening the lower body, but you’ll feel benefits all over. And many of them you can do anywhere. For example, I’ll practice Thread the Needle II in my chair every day at work, or I’ll take an extra minute during my break to do the Half Downward Facing Dog. They feel great, and somehow I’m not as tired at the end of the day. I’m 50 years old at a desk job, and want to increase strength and flexibility as I get older — not become stiff and injury prone. This book won’t offer anything new for the experienced yogi, but for the rest of us, it’s perfect and should be in every home. Don’t hesitate.

What your bad knees need!! by Jones
What a wonderful book! So informative and written by someone who has suffered with bad knees herself. I have patellofemoral syndrome in both knees (cyclist/runners knees) and fallen arches in both feet (just like the author) and this had helped so much. I felt a difference in my knee pain within a week of using the exercises in this book.Each exercise has a photograph to go with it and each exercise is simple to practice. I am so glad I found this book. If you are looking for a quick fix, this is not the book for you. It will take time for your knees to heal with aid of this book but, I promise you, this book is worth it. Buy it, you won’t be sorry.

Highly recommended for healing aging knees! by Suza Francina
Yoga for Healthy Knees is at the top of the list of books I recommend for teaching yoga to people over 50. I always show this book to my students of any age with knee problems. The author is an expert who overcame her own knee pain using yoga. This is a clear, well organized book with a positive, uplifting attitude!
— Suza Francina, author, The New Yoga for People Over 50, The New Yoga for Healthy Aging and other books for people at midlife and older.

Very Helpful Book — Amazon review by D. Bazan
This book has been extremely beneficial to me, as I’m in the process of recovering from my 3rd knee surgery… This book lays out numerous yoga poses that are beneficial for stretching the knee areas (hamstrings and quadriceps) and helps the reader to adapt the poses to their particular ability. There are numerous pictures through-out that show how the movements should look and includes the adaptations, and each pose is clearly described in writing, so you know you’re doing it correctly. It’s wonderful to know that with a little time and dedication, one can find true improvement in flexibility and pain! I highly recommend this book to anyone suffering from knee pain.

After several days of sedentary computer work and some subsequent gardening work, my knees were in a lot of pain… After a few sessions of doing the exercises in this book, my knees have improved enough to be pain free and allow me to return to gardening and my beginning yoga practice. The exercises included are clearly described and illustrated with photos of correct positioning, with modifications suggested as needed. You don’t need to have done yoga before to benefit from the exercises in this book. In addition to strengthening muscles that support the knees, the stretches and poses also help loosen areas that are tight that might be pulling the knees out of proper alignment. Also, the entire set of exercises can be done in 30 minutes or less, so it’s not hard to fit into a daily schedule. For those of us with a history of knee pain or injury, this book is an excellent resource for strengthening and stretching the muscles that help protect the knees.

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More Press for Sandy Blaine

iyogalife_runners86x86iYogalife, mind, body—get it together, ©2006 Rodale Publishing
Yoga for Runners, by Nicole Kwan
Asana Sequence by Sandy Blaine[Read full article | Download PDF]

Athletes of all sorts have discovered that yoga is the perfect cross-training tool. We took the most common running goals and asked the experts (including… Sandy Blaine, author of Yoga for Healthy Knees, Rodmel Press) to target yoga routines that will help meet those goals.

AYSinYogiTimes-1_86x111Yoga times, November 2006
Alameda Yoga Station: Solid Yoga in the Heart of Alameda, by Cathy Dalton[Read full article | Download PDF]

“The playful, mindful classes explore different aspects of yoga such as asanas (postures), partner poses, restorative yoga, sun salutations, female health issues, the blossoming body, meditation, pranayama (breathing) and chanting. Sharing this array of practices can nurture an overall sense of well-being and inner peace, plus body awareness, strength, flexibility, self-esteem and stress reduction.”

YJ_Aug_2000_86x117Yoga Journal, August 2000
Carpal Tunnel Cure, by Angela Pirisi
Yoga Remedies For Everyday Ailments, From the Editors of Yoga Journal[Read full article | Download PDF]

Sandy Blaine, an Iyengar-influenced yoga instructor who runs Carpal Tunnel Prevention workshops in the San Francisco Bay Area, says that combating mild to moderate CTS symtoms is primarily a matter of “counteracting the repetitive movements that created them.”

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Articles & Essays

PropsProps to Have On Hand
for a Home Practice

YogaU Online, November 16, 2023
6 Tips to Inspire your Home Yoga Practice
YogaU Online has picked up Sandy’s most recent Yoga for Healthy Aging blog post to share with their readers.
Whether you’re new to practicing yoga or a seasoned yoga practitioner, very often the most difficult part of practicing is actually starting. That can mean the challenge of first establishing a home yoga practice, but it’s also true for getting yourself onto the mat each day even after you’ve been practicing for years or … [Read full article]

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Huffington Post, July 17, 2012
When Worlds Collide: High-Tech Yoga

Bringing yoga into the business world is a tricky mix, one that requires blending two completely different sets of needs, goals, and expectations. While a “no phones” policy is indeed a completely reasonable guideline for yoga classes, the fired teacher was not teaching in a dedicated yoga studio, and unless that rule is explicitly supported by the company she’s working for… it’s not her policy to set. She can request compliance but not demand it.

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Yoga Journal, February 2004
Knee Deep in Yoga, by Catherine Dalton
Asana Sequence by Sandy Blaine [Read Full Article | Download PDF]

Yoga can be a source of knee pain or the ideal therapy. Here’s a primer on keeping the joint healthy on and off the mat.

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Yoga International, May 2004
Part 1: Standing On Your Own
Practicing standing poses [Read Full Article | Download PDF]

Practicing on your own gives you the opportunity to tailor your practice to your own specific, personal needs. Here’s a guide to developing a nourishing personal practice, starting from the ground up.

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Yoga International, July 2004
Part 2: Open Up
Practicing backbends [Read Full Article | Download PDF]

Creating your own practice teaches you to listen to your inner self.

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Yoga International, Aug./Sept. 2004
Part 3: A Different Perspective
Practicing inversions [Read Full Article | Download PDF]

Developing your own practice is like learning a new asana; you’ll see progress if you keep trying! As you practice, you discover or develop the resources you need. It’s a continual unfolding rather than a linear journey.

YI_Nov2004_200x221

Yoga International, November 2004
Part 4: Untying Knots
Practicing twists [Read Full Article | Download PDF]

Learning how to structure and vary your practice is a process of exploration… Whether the “knots” are physical or mental (and usually it’s some combination of the two), here’s a practice sequence that will help you unwind them, and will cleanse, purify and refresh your whole system.

Ascent, Winter 2001
Under Water [Read Full Article | Download PDF]

Yoga is the discovery of an underlying awareness of the miracle of our own consciousness… It is the momentary flash of awareness that we are part of something bigger… And sometimes that awareness finds us even when we are not seeking it

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Yoga International, June/July 2000
Yoga For Sale [Read Full Article | Download PDF]

This is the most positive aspect of the “yoga boom”—as yoga has gained widespread acceptance and recognition, its benefits are available to a growing number of people.

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