Why a Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Would Study a Cadaver: Insights from the Inside-Out
- Joy Zazzera
- Jul 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 6
What drives a yoga teacher to step into a cadaver lab?
For me, learning hands-on anatomy beyond the books, was a natural next step in a lifelong journey of understanding the body—not just as a system of muscles and bones, but as a lived, layered experience. As a Yoga Medicine® Therapeutic Specialist, I’ve committed myself to working at the intersection of yoga, anatomy, and therapeutic application—especially for adults navigating joint replacements, limited mobility, and chronic stress.
While many yoga trainings skim the surface of anatomy, my path as a therapeutic yoga teacher has led me far deeper. In April 2023, I participated in a human cadaver dissection lab at the Laboratory of Anatomical Enlightenment in Boulder, Colorado. This wasn’t about textbook diagrams or abstract theory—it was an unfiltered, humbling, and profoundly human experience that reshaped the way I teach.
Led by master dissector Todd Garcia, Yoga Medicine® founder Tiffany Cruikshank, and Yoga Medicine lead fascial researcher Dr. Katja Bartsch, this lab gave me the opportunity to study the real structures we aim to support in yoga. The moment I encountered a full knee replacement inside the donor I was working with, everything clicked. Across the lab, classmates uncovered shoulder and hip prosthetics—direct reminders of the people we serve. No layer was untouched, no detail irrelevant. Eventually, everything connects.
What Sets This Work Apart
Yoga Medicine’s globally acclaimed program was created from Cruikshank’s multifaceted expertise in yoga, biomechanics, women’s health and Traditional Chinese Medicine and blends Eastern Yoga wisdom with approaches from Western medicine. Yoga Medicine® Therapeutic Specialists undergo a rigorous and selective training process grounded in anatomy, research, and integrative health. Earning this title meant years of intensive study, practical application, and mentorship. I completed my 500-hour advanced training by presenting three case studies to a panel of Yoga Medicine experts, applying therapeutic yoga protocols to real clients with measurable results over eight weeks.
My path into this work began with my first certification through Carolina Yoga Company, where I studied with Sage Rountree—renowned teacher-trainer and Yoga for Athletes expert. Her mentorship helped me transition from yoga student of 25 years to teacher, as I adapted my own practice to life with two titanium knees. Under Sage’s guidance, I learned how to build balance in the body through a more therapeutic lens.
That foundation deepened through further anatomy studies with Jenni Tarma and the Yoga Medicine faculty. I also pursued a year-long certification in massage therapy and a mentorship with seasoned Yoga Medicine® Therapeutic Specialist Sandy Raper. Each layer added a new dimension to my understanding—and every step was driven by one purpose: to help real people move with more ease, resilience, and autonomy.
Beyond the Mat with a Therapeutic Yoga Teacher: A Two-Way Conversation with the Body
Integrating yoga therapeutics and massage therapy allows me to teach in a way that supports what I call a “two-way communication system” with the body. This isn’t about forcing flexibility or chasing poses. It’s about restoring movement economy, cultivating nervous system balance, and promoting longevity—especially for those navigating complex physical realities.
If you think yoga isn’t for you because you’re “not flexible enough,” I may not be your teacher. But if you're ready to redefine what strength, balance, and flexibility can look like—for your body, in this chapter of your life—then we may be the perfect fit.
I work best with adults seeking personalized, therapeutic yoga designed around orthopedic considerations, stress resilience, and long-term functionality.
Three Values You’ll Feel in Every Class
Simplicity is medicine. Less is more. Every sequence is intentional.
Education is empowerment. I teach you how your body works so you can make choices that serve it well.
Therapeutics require nuance. I don’t teach one-size-fits-all yoga. I teach yoga that fits you.
Education empowers us to influence the internal tone of our body-mind system and take greater ownership of our well-being. If you’re curious to explore what’s possible when yoga meets real anatomy, real experience, and real-life conditions—you've discovered a relatable teacher with the expertise to support your journey.
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