Functional Movement Injury Prevention Strength Development

Applied Yoga: Back and Abdominal Strength

A specialized course on assessing and treating back pain through core stabilization, blending classical yoga with physical therapy and movement science. Covers the powerhouse 5 muscles, spinal stabilization techniques, and practical modifications for disc issues and sciatica. Awards Yoga Alliance YACEP credits.

Modules: 3 Modules
Lessons: 13 Lessons
Duration: 5h
Certification: CE credits
Format: self-paced
Skill level: intermediate, advanced
Career pathway: advanced training

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Course program

Applied Yoga Back and Abdominal Strength by Jory Serota teaches yoga teachers and movement professionals how to work with back pain and core dysfunction using an approach that bridges classical yoga with physical therapy and kinesiology. The program offers a practical framework for assessment-based teaching of spinal stability.

This course is for yoga teachers, advanced practitioners, and movement professionals who work with students experiencing back pain. Prior yoga or movement experience is expected, and a teaching credential is recommended for CE credits. It is also suitable for anyone wanting to learn assessment-based techniques for spinal health.

The curriculum introduces the powerhouse 5 — the abdominal muscles, multifidus, glutes, psoas, and quadratus lumborum — and explains how these muscles work together to stabilize the spine. Students learn practical techniques for core activation, including the yogic variation of the birddog and accessible versions of warrior III, locust, and sphinx pose.

The back line strength section covers eight pose-based lessons including standing birddogs, half forward fold, warrior III with support, chair pose, prasarita padottanasana, locust pose with and without partners, sphinx pose with movement, and upward table. The abdominals section covers four lessons including legs in the air, plank, boat pose, and dead bug. Throughout, the program addresses working with disc issues, sciatica, and sprained ligaments.

The approach emphasizes functional motor control — the ability of muscles to fire in the correct sequence and intensity — as the foundation of muscular health. Students learn not only what to teach but how to assess the specific dysfunction a student is experiencing.

The course is taught by Jory Serota, founder of Applied Yoga Seminars. Serota has over 20 years of experience in kinesiology and therapeutic movement and is a certified NeuroKinetic Therapy Instructor. He has trained thousands of yoga teachers and bodyworkers in his method.

The course is delivered entirely online in a self-paced video format with lifetime access across any device. Three modules cover an introduction to the Applied Yoga methodology, back line strength, and abdominal training, organized into thirteen video lessons. Students work through the material on their own schedule. Support is available through the Applied Yoga private Facebook group, where students can post questions and case studies.

Meet your teacher

Jory Serota

Founder of Applied Yoga Seminars with over 20 years of experience in kinesiology. NeuroKinetic Therapy Instructor who has trained thousands of yoga teachers and bodyworkers in therapeutic movement applications.

Host reviews

Kevin Courtney

Verified user

Jory offers a depth of knowledge that can only come from direct experience and dedicated self-study. Without fail, every time I practice with him I walk away with new techniques to awaken my body and steady the mind. He naturally weaves together the integrity of all eight limbs of yoga and leads his classes with humor, focus and precision. Jory represents a powerful link in a chain of teachers going back centuries, and is himself, an embodiment of Yoga.